Re: [CH] OT....drying oregano
Rael64 (z42dkm@yahoo.com)
Mon, 8 Sep 2008 16:18:28 -0700 (PDT)
I've dried oregano and various herbs on a sheet pan in the (non-gas) oven. The 'warm' setting is usually below 200-F, which works fine. As for timing, your guess is as good as mine. It's been a while since I've done this, but I believe I left the door cracked open too so it wouldn't get too hot in there. If you've some cooling or 'cookie' racks, you may help the process by putting the oregano on that first, and then putting the racks on a sheet pan.
Peace, Hendrix, and Chiles.......
Rael"...seem to be missing emails...ah, life on the internet..."64
--- On Mon, 9/8/08, JohnT <love2troll@kc.rr.com> wrote:
> From: JohnT <love2troll@kc.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [CH] OT....drying oregano
> To: lowell75@charter.net, "ChileHeads" <chile-heads@globalgarden.com>
> Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 1:01 PM
> Depends on where you live. Even sun drying is difficult in
> the summer where
> I live because of the high humidity. Clamp two window
> screens together with
> a single layer of leaves (or entire branches) in between
> and suspend
> horizontally off the ground out in the sun during the day
> for as long as it
> takes. Take inside during the night if you get morning dew
> or chance of
> rain etc.
>
> I've never done it, but on a tomato forum back in the
> 90s a lady posted that
> she dehydrated tomato slices in a gas oven with just the
> pilot light on. I
> can't remember if she left the door slightly ajar or
> not. I would guess that
> some air exchange would be good.
>
> I'm salt drying basil leaves as we speak. Use an
> air-tight container with a
> layer of non-iodized salt (coarse Kosher or sea salt is
> what I use) on the
> bottom and cover with a single layer of leaves followed by
> alternate layers
> of salt and leaves. Keep in fridge. The salt will end up
> nicely flavored
> and useable for cooking.
>
> I know a couple pod-heads that salt dry chiles too & I
> think I will try that
> very soon. Color & flavor retention is supposed to be
> excellent & just
> think of how useful the salt would be!
>
> jt
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: lowell75@charter.net
> To: ChileHeads
> Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 12:03 PM
> Subject: [CH] OT....drying oregano
>
>
> I hung in the garden shed and air dryed last year without
> satisfactory
> results
> ...and I have a gas oven which I'm leery of. Would
> anyone recommend another
> approach?
>
> Lowell75