Making your own herb paste at home is simple and can save you money and unnecessary ingredients!
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If you’ve ever seen an expensive herb paste tube in your groceries produce section and thought to yourself “Hmmm, maybe I should get that.” I’m here to break you from this idea. Put the tube down and walk away. Let me repeat PUT THE TUBE DOWN AND WALK AWAY!
Why waste the money on a tube of pureed herbs when making your own is much less expensive and can easily be done in your home with just a few minutes of work.
Yes! You can make the exact same thing in your own home for less money and less ingredients!
Store bought herb pastes have many unnecessary ingredients. Homemade herb paste has as many, or as little, as you want!
What is herb paste and how to use it?
Herb paste is a blend of herbs made into a paste using olive oil and a food processor. It can be used for many dishes and is as easy as taking a cube out of your freezer and popping it into the skillet while preparing a meal.
Should I use dried herbs or herb paste?
Dried herbs and herb pastes both have their pros and cons. Herb paste takes a bit more time to prepare and needs to stay frozen before using. Dried herbs are convenient and can sit on the shelf until you need them, but not all herbs will hold their flavour when dried.
Creating a paste from your fresh herbs can hang onto that delicious flavour and makes for a simple addition to meals.
How do you turn herbs into paste?
Turning your homegrown herbs into a paste is really a very simple process. Collect your fresh herbs. You can use either a single type or create your favourite herbal blends. Make sure that they are washed and then simply place them into a food processor and blend them. Add in small amounts of olive oil until a thick paste consistency has been formed. You can either use your herbal paste immediately or store some away for later!
What You Need to Make an Herb Paste
- Olive Oil
- Oregano
- Basil
- Parsley
- Rosemary
How to Make Italian Herb Paste
Collect your herbs and wash them, removing them stems and any wilted leaves.
Place the herbs into your food processor and process them until they are very finely chopped.
Add in a small amount of olive oil and process further until it has reached a paste like consistency.
Your herb paste should be ready at this point, but if your herbs still seem a bit dry, you can add a bit more olive oil and continute processing.
How to Store Your Herb Pastes
To store your herb paste you will need an ice cube tray.
Use a rubber spatula to spoon the paste into each well of the ice cube tray and press it down. Each well roughly holds about 2½ tablespoons of herbal paste.
Place the ice cube tray on a flat surface in your freezer and freeze overnight.
When the paste is completely frozen, you can pop the paste out of the ice cube tray and then transfer them to a freezer bag to store in the freezer long term.
The herbs will last in the freezer for up to a year but are best before 6 months.
Italian Herb Paste
Making your own herb paste at home is simple and can save you money and unnecessary ingredients!
Ingredients
- 4 cups herbs (basil, parsley, rosemary and oregano)
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Wash and remove stems from herbs.
Add herbs into a food processor and process until they are in small pieces.
Slowly add in olive oil, one tablespoon at a time until a paste consistency has been reached.
Use immediately or see NOTES for freezing instructions.
Notes
To store, transfer the herb paste to an ice cube tray and place in freezer. Remove once frozen and transfer to a freezer safe bag.
Herb paste will last frozen for up to a year.
Each ice cube tray well will roughly hold 2 tablesoons of herb paste.
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