topic Re: Another use for parsley or basil in Home

Another use for parsley or basil

151949 — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 18:07:29 GMT

The weather has been so gorgeous down here in Fl. that everything is just growing like crazy. My herb garden - parsley, basil and chives are all getting so big I am just having to cut them back every few days. It seems a shame to waste them but we can only eat so much -- so I put them in the disposal with ice cubes and run it - makes the whole house smell wonderful ! We also have a huge 6ft tall tomato plant and if I trim anything off it I also put it in the disposal. Just makes the house smell so good!

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 18:20:25 GMT

I could enjoy a house that smelled of basil.

Another option is freezing your herbs into ice cubes. They're easy to toss into soups and sauces. http://www.food.com/recipe/herbal-ice-cubes-111461

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

HappyDaze — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 18:24:36 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
I could enjoy a house that smelled of basil.

Another option is freezing your herbs into ice cubes. They're easy to toss into soups and sauces. http://www.food.com/recipe/herbal-ice-cubes-111461

@ChynnaBlue awesome tip, thanks for sharing!!

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

151949 — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 18:33:26 GMT

Our neighbor who stays here all summer is begging me to leave my herbs with her when we go north. Normally I just toss them out and plant new in the fall. Wait til she sees the tomato plant ... 6 ft high and still growing. takes 2 watering cans of water every day.

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

Caaareful Shopper — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 19:15:53 GMT

If you're up to making your own soaps, mix basil and lavender into the soap mold. Use as a hand soap and your bathroom (and hands) will be left with the most delightful scent!

. . .

debic — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 19:30:55 GMT

What I wouldn't do with an endless supply.

spaghetti, lasagna, any tomato sauce dish. Pesto, chicken parmesan. Tomato soup.

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

feline groovy — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 22:26:47 GMT

@151949 wrote:
The weather has been so gorgeous down here in Fl. that everything is just growing like crazy. My herb garden - parsley, basil and chives are all getting so big I am just having to cut them back every few days. It seems a shame to waste them but we can only eat so much -- so I put them in the disposal with ice cubes and run it - makes the whole house smell wonderful ! We also have a huge 6ft tall tomato plant and if I trim anything off it I also put it in the disposal. Just makes the house smell so good!

So don't! Instead, donate them to your local food pantries.

They're always in need of fresh produce, and fresh herbs would be a very nice luxury for the many who are less fortunate.

Re: . . .

Kachina624 — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 22:25:58 GMT

@151949 I'd chop them up and freeze them in sandwich zip-lock bags. Herbs freeze beautifully.

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

mousiegirl — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 22:34:11 GMT

@151949 wrote:
The weather has been so gorgeous down here in Fl. that everything is just growing like crazy. My herb garden - parsley, basil and chives are all getting so big I am just having to cut them back every few days. It seems a shame to waste them but we can only eat so much -- so I put them in the disposal with ice cubes and run it - makes the whole house smell wonderful ! We also have a huge 6ft tall tomato plant and if I trim anything off it I also put it in the disposal. Just makes the house smell so good!

@151949 I process a ton of basil, which I grow, with extra virgin olive oil and freeze in little containers or baggies, to be used in soups, pesto, sauces, etc.

Re: . . .

151949 — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:08:57 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@151949 I'd chop them up and freeze them in sandwich zip-lock bags. Herbs freeze beautifully.

I have absolutely no reason to freeze them. I have an endless supply of them fresh, all my neighbors have an endless supply of them fresh. I would have a freezer full of herbs that I never used and then would be throwing away when we go home in the spring.They do literally grow like weeds down here. My neighbor grows peppermint and rosemary so we allow each other free access to each others plants.Another neighbor grows oregano and basil and thyme so I can help myself there as well.

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

Sweetbay magnolia — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:21:28 GMT

Sounds like someone I know in AZ. Hundreds of grapefruit right now! She gives them away as best she can, and of course eats.

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

Desertdi — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 03:08:41 GMT

Back in the '50s, there was a fad of eating parsley as a "natural deodorant." We (our family) ate so much that our complexions turned very sallow.......and our sweat turned chartreuse........(and it stained your clothes).

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

Kachina624 — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 05:29:50 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
Sounds like someone I know in AZ. Hundreds of grapefruit right now! She gives them away as best she can, and of course eats.

@Sweetbay magnolia I want an avocado tree so I can have all I can eat. They're so ridiculously expensive and often aren't good.

Re: Another use for parsley or basil

x Hedge — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 07:28:44 GMT

@Caaareful Shopper wrote:
If you're up to making your own soaps, mix basil and lavender into the soap mold. Use as a hand soap and your bathroom (and hands) will be left with the most delightful scent!

@Caaareful Shopper That sounds lovely if you are using just the essence. But my plumbing wouldn't like small bits of plants going down the drain everytime I washed my hands.

Flatleaf parsley dries well, and the flavor was more intense dried than fresh. I shared it with neighbors who enjoy cooking.

. . .

debic — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 16:05:35 GMT

Basil is also good in pasta, if you make your own. Chop it up and incorporate it in.

I rarely use parsley. Even if it's called for. I've considered it a garnish for too long I guess.

Re: . . .

151949 — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 20:30:25 GMT

@debic The curly parsley you use as garnish has little flavor but the Italian flat leaf is fabulous tasting. My DH love love loves parsley potatoes so I use it a lot.