Herb paste is truly one of my favourite ways to preserve fresh herbs. I can't remember the first time I made this fragrant cousin of Herb Pesto. I am referring to the blending of the soft leaves of herbs like mint, parsley or basil, with olive oil. Herbs, harvested at their peak of perfection and blended in all of their aromatic splendour to wildly influence many meals to come! If you have NOT made this yet, pick your favourite herb and follow the easy recipe below. You will not be disappointed!
My own very favourite herbs to preserve this way are:
Mints
Cilantro
Dill
It's fun to combine them too.. I've just made a "Cilantro-Parsley-Chives" paste. We've been enjoying it all week with eggs, as a marinade and atop meat dishes, and in a yummy pasta dish!
I sometimes add aromatic herb paste to soups, stew, stir fries, and grain dishes.
My favourite way to enjoy herb paste ? Just slather it on a piece of fresh bread or cracker. Mmm. Such an easy way to enjoy 'kicked up' nutritive green power! Add antioxidants, extra nutrients and the power of the green world to your meals! It's easy.
Any herb can be made into a paste. Try marjoram or tarragon, lemon balm, chives! Experiment with combinations like Basil & Oregano or Dill & Parsley. Combinations are endless. They will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks or freeze into ice cubes to store for later! After frozen, transfer to bags and remember to label the herb paste!
What's the difference between herb paste and Italy's "pesto".
By the way, I write a lot about pesto too. Check out my pesto party post and Pesto 101 here.
One of my other all time SPRING pesto recipes? Garlic scape pesto. Recipe here.
Ok.. In my mind, it's a Herb Paste if it's just the fresh herb blended with good quality olive oil.
Pesto has more 'players in the band', with nuts, garlic and cheese as a rule.
Let's make some Herb Paste :
Pick your herb. You can make any amount. Let's start with a 'bunch' or a large handful:
DIY Herb Paste
#Vegan #Paleo #Whole30 #Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Fresh Herbs Bunch or Handful
- Olive oil. best quality available
Instructions
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Pinch the leaves from the stems of the chosen herb.
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Add the leaves to a food processor. (I use my Cuisinart)
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Pulse the machine briefly to chop the herbs
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Add a drizzle of olive oil while continuing to process the herbs.
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It doesn't take long before the oil and herbs form a paste.
Tip: Herb paste works well with Paleo, Whole30, Vegan + Vegetarian lifestyles ~
~~ This condiment makes everyone happy, just as is but it can also be added to mayo, mustard and salsas to create new condiments and marinades! The sky's the limit!
Herb paste is an ages old preparation. I remember my early days learning about the wonder of the green world. We would forage the wilds and identify tasty wild greens growing abundantly. We would pick a wild salad and make a simple vinaigrette with oil and lemon juice and a little wild leek or garlic mustard. If there was indeed, a lot of green to be picked, I would make aromatic wild herb paste to enrich the months to come.. old and new memories..
Are you on Pinterest? Love to learn more about herbs? Here's the Studio Botanica Board
Here are 2 pins for you to choose from:
Please leave a comment below~Tell me if you make herb pastes. Which ones? Uses?
or… since Pesto is a close relative.. Do you have a 'go-to' pesto?
Green good wishes and Spring blessings to all.
xo Carol
Christiane Methot
Wow, Carol!
This looks fantastic...
Thank you so much for the how-to.
Cheers!
Gala Rowe
How long will this keep in the refrigerator? Can you freeze it?
Carol Little
HI Gaia.. As long as the herb paste is covered with a thin layer of olive oil; the paste refrigerates well. I usually use it up within a month or two. Yes it freezes well too. Use within 6-8 months for best taste.
Fern
Was given a huge bunch of basil. Took a while to pick through all the woody stems & sort the good leaves. Washed & left on paper towel to get excess water out. I used a mini Kitchen Aid food processor which took multiple batches, so I mixed it all together in a bowl for consistency of oil to basil. It made one ice cube tray of solid cubes, which will last a long time. I added about half a cube's worth to a tray of broccoli & carrots for roasting It added a nice punch to the garlic/olive oil/salt & pepper that I normally use. Great way to easily take care of excess herbs. Thanks for the recipe.
Doris Coleman
can I use stems in the paste?
Carol Little
YES normally. Which herb paste do you want to make? i.e. Which herb?
Meredith
I love this idea for preserving herbs when they are growing in abundance! Thank you so much Carol!
Carol Little
You are so welcome Meredith! I hope that you preserve herbs this way and become somewhat addicted, as I am!!
Anne
This is such a great way to preserve herbs. I have a lot of lemon balm in my yard, now I know how to use it up!
Carol Little
I LOVE Lemon Balm! Have you seen my posts about this delightful herb?
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
This recipe comes at the perfect time! My herb garden is really getting going, and I can't wait to try this out, plus I think it would be great to freeze for the winter months ahead as well!
Carol Little
Great news! I hope you enjoy -- and yes.. do freeze some.. just remember to label!!
Katie Walsh Beck
I make this all the time! You are right, it is a great way to utilize fresh herbs. On pasta topped with an egg and parmesan is a great use for this in winter :)
Lindsey Dietz
I so wish I had done this last year with my mint! I'm growing double the amount this year, so this is a keeper!
Monique
This is one of my favourite ways to preserve herbs; so simple and stops things going to waste!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
There are so many ways to use herb paste. So great to have this on hand to add flavor to quick dinners!
Jean
What a delicious way to fit in healthy herbs! Love this idea.
Cathy
What a great way to preserve fresh herbs! I like to grow herbs in pots, but their season seems much too short. I'd love to be able to enjoy them year round, so I must start doing this.
Carol Little
Hi Cathy. I hope you make this and enjoy your herbs all year 'round!
Tessa Simpson
What a fabulous way to harvest and preserve all the that fresh flavor!! Will have to try this!
Carol Little
It's so easy Tessa! I hope you have fun with your herb pastes!
Raia Todd
Sounds easy AND delicious! I bet it would go wonderfully on pasta...
Carol Little
Yes. Pasta is a natural for these pastes.. So many ways to use them.
Heather
I have a freezer full of paste and pesto. Love your recipes.xx
Carol Little
Me too Heather!!! Thanks for your kind words xo
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love this, especially how you freeze the cubes. Such beautiful herbs, I especially love the mint and cilantro.
Marjorie
Yum!! I love how easy this is to do!
Carol Little
It truly is SO easy. I hope you'll try it Marjorie!!
The Food Hunter
Pesto is just yummy!
Melissa @ My Darla Clementine
Ooooh I'd love to try this with lemon balm! And thanks for explaining the difference between herb paste and pesto :)
Megan Stevens
Love this concept! SO yummy, such an exciting addition to a meal.
Renee Kohley
I bet that lemon balm just makes it so good! I have a bunch of it and can't wait to try it when comes up!
linda spiker
Love this Carol! And love the ice cube tray suggestion!