Walmart.com - A Guide to Selecting, Storing and Cooking With Fresh Herbs

A Guide to Selecting, Storing and Cooking With Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs can make such a difference in preparing your favorite recipes — from omelets, appetizers and dips to drinks, entrees and side dishes.

Selection

Select fresh, brightly colored herbs without signs of wilting or browning.

Preparation and Storage

Wrap fresh herbs loosely in a slightly damp paper towel; seal in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. Use within five days.
Rinse just before using and blot dry with paper towels. Use kitchen scissors to snip leaves from stems; discard stems and stalks. (The stems of some herbs, such as cilantro and parsley, can be chopped and added to dishes.)

Cooking

Fresh herbs lose flavor when cooked too long and should only be added near the end of the cooking time, unless specified otherwise in a recipe.
Add delicate herbs such as basil, chives, cilantro, dill, parsley, marjoram and mint right before the cooking ends. Add hardier herbs such as rosemary, thyme, tarragon, oregano and dill seeds during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

Try this herb...	...with this food
Basil	Pasta sauces, tomatoes, peas, zucchini
Chives	Sour cream dip, potatoes, tomatoes
Cilantro	Asian, Mexican and Caribbean-style dishes
Dill	Carrots, fish, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes
Mint	Carrots, fruit salad, peas, tea
Oregano	Dried beans, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes
Parsley	Potato salad, seafood
Rosemary	Fish, pork, pork, soups, stews
Sage	Poultry, stuffing
Tarragon	Chicken, eggs, fish, pasta, seafood
Thyme	Eggs, potatoes, poultry, summer squash, tomatoes

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