TO YOUR HEALTH

upside down in small bundles or spread them on drying racks or screens with plenty of circulation.

If you want to dry leaves quickly, spread them on a mesh rack and place them in a low-temperature oven ( 8595 degrees). The herbs take just a few minutes to dry, so leave the oven door open and keep your eye on them. When the leaves are crisp, they are ready. Store dried herbs in a dark glass container with a tight-closing lid, or in a glass container in a cool, dark place. You can also freeze your herbs, once they’re completely dry, in plastic freezer bags. Make sure you label and date them.

Once you’ve tasted the flavors of individual herbs, think about blending a few together. Generally, they are blended in equal parts, but you can change the mix to suit your own taste. For example, how about a little lemongrass blended with anise hyssop?

FOR MORE INFO ECHO

17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers 239-543-3246; echonet.org