Dill is a herb used to flavor dishes in European and Scandinavian cuisines. You can dry the leaves and use the seeds to make an essential oil. The plant can be dried in the open air, in the oven or in the microwave.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: in the fresh air
Step 1. Wash the dill plant the day before harvesting
Spray it well with water to remove bugs and dust.
Step 2. Cut the twigs in the morning before the sun has dehydrated them
If you want to dry the seeds, you will need to cut the flower tops as well as the leaves.
Step 3. Cut the twigs near the stem
Use sharp shears.
Step 4. Rinse well
Pass them through the salad drainer then pat them with kitchen paper. Air them for three minutes while spreading them on a kitchen towel.
Step 5. Collect the dill in groups of 5-10 twigs
Tie them tightly to the base using a rubber band. Make sure you get rid of the excess water or they could become moldy.
Step 6. Buy some dark paper bags
Cut wide strips into the bottom of the bags so that air can circulate freely.
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If you intend to hang it inside, you can avoid paper bags. Instead, they are needed outside to protect the dill from the elements and to prevent it from losing its leaves.
Dry Dill Step 6Bullet1
Step 7. Wrap the bag on the sole and secure it with a rubber band
Make sure each plant is upside down. To circulate the air, the dill should be in the center of the bag.
Step 8. Hang the bunches in a dry and ventilated place such as the porch or basement
Leave them hanging for two weeks.
Step 9. Collect your dried dill when it crumbles easily
Separate the dried flowers from the leaves by hand.
Step 10. Divide the seeds from the buds and place them in an airtight jar
Store the leaves in another container. Keep them in dry and dark.
Method 2 of 3: baked
Step 1. Collect fresh dill as per the first method
Step 2. Rinse it with fresh water and pass it through the salad drainer
Step 3. Preheat the oven to 43 degrees or less
If you have a dehydrator you can use it as an alternative to the oven. Read the manual to determine which is the best temperature.
Step 4. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper
Spread the leaves in a single layer.
Step 5. Place the pan in the oven
If your oven gets too hot, keep the door ajar. Let it dry for 2-4 hours.
Step 6. Check regularly
When it crumbles easily, the dill is ready.
Step 7. Remove it from the oven and let it cool
Store it in an airtight jar and use it in recipes. Separate the seeds from the flowers to make an essential oil.
Method 3 of 3: Microwave
Step 1. Rinse the leaves under running water
Turn it over in the salad drainer and pat it dry with a tea towel.
Step 2. Find a large dish that goes into the microwave
Line it with two layers of kitchen paper.
Step 3. Sprinkle the dill sprigs on the plate
Put an extra layer of kitchen paper on top of it.
Step 4. Put the dish in the microwave
Heat it for 4 minutes on high temperature.
Step 5. Take it out of the microwave to check
If the dill hasn't dried yet, return it to cook for another 2 minutes. It is ready when the leaves crumble to the touch.
Step 6. Let it cool and place it in an airtight container
Microwave dried dill lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. The air dried one and the normal oven even more.
