The Must-Have Kitchen Tool That Makes Prepping Herbs So Much Easier
There is no comparison between fresh and dried herbs. In raw meals such as salads, dressings, pesto, and garnishes, fresh herbs are indispensable. They have a superior flavor and taste than their dry counterparts. Their main disadvantage is a lack of preparation. Dried herbs are ready to use, but fresh herbs must be washed, stripped, and chopped. Depending on the herb, this process might be highly time-consuming.
If you enjoy utilizing fresh herbs, meet the herb remover, an underutilized tool that can help you prepare them faster.Herb strippers, as the name implies, aid in the removal of leaves from stems. They have varied sized holes to accommodate different herbs. Simply insert the stem into the tiniest hole it will fit into and drag it through until all the leaves fall off. Some strippers have large enough holes to remove kale or other green crops.
Some models may also have a blade, allowing you to strip and chop herbs with the same tool. Others have attached bowls to catch the leaves as they pass through the openings. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people cook with fresh herbs. After seeing how rapidly the stripper works, they may be inspired to use herbs more frequently. It may even inspire home chefs to try different herbs for the first time. So here are some pointers to keep in mind.
herb stripping bowl
To begin, immediately wash and dry any fresh herbs you purchase to remove any pests or dirt. Wrap the herbs in paper towels and place them in sealable bags. The paper towels will help keep the herbs fresh, but use them within a few days to get the most flavor out of them. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to appreciate their distinct tastes. Basil is one of the most popular herbs, possibly because of its sweet and somewhat spicy flavor. It is widely used in Mediterranean recipes, but it can also be used in other cuisines.
Not to mention that it’s the most commonly used herb in pesto. If you want to get the most out of your basil, add the leaves (not the stems) near the end of the cooking process, whether you’re making fish, chicken, or a homemade pasta sauce. Rosemary is a difficult plant to prepare, making it ideal for the herb remover. However, the leaves have a fantastic woody and pine-likе flavor. This makes it ideal for dishes such as lamb chops, poultry, roast beef, and roasted potatoes. It’s also great on flatbread, sweet potato fries, and even cake.
Cilantro, often known as the coriander leaf, is a contentious herb. Some individuals enjoy the bright and zesty flavor, while others claim that it tastes likе soap. However, it is a common ingredient in Asian and Latin American cuisine. Cilantro is wonderful both raw and cooked, and it is flavorful without being overbearing. Dill – Dill is a frequent ingredient in German and Scandinavian cuisine. It has a delicate flavor that is robust, fresh, and earthy. It goes well with a variety of cuisines, including poultry, yogurt, shellfish, salad, soup, and egg dishes such as quiche.
Marjoram – Marjoram has a softer flavor than oregano but is nonetheless potent. It goes well with vegetables and meat, but it can also be used to flavor salads, soups, sauces, fish, and other dishes. While the leaves are used in these dishes, keep the stems to enhance the flavor of a stock or soup. Thyme – Thyme can be found in French cuisine. Its floral scent and powerful flavor complement foods without overpowering other ingredients. A herb remover, likе rosemary, can make thyme preparation a breeze. It goes well with roast chicken, bread, potatoes, and cocktails.
Mint – While many people associate mint with drinks and pastries, there are plenty other ways to enjoy this herb. It goes well with salads, poultry, curries, and sandwiches. It can also be used to dress up a fruit salad. Parsley – Because of its fresh and delicate flavor, parsley is another useful and popular herb. While the leaves are the most effective, the stems can also be used in cooking. Use it as a garnish to season soups or to dress up salads. The possibilities are nearly limitless, but parsley pairs particularly well with pasta, butter, eggs, and lemon.
Oregano has a strong taste that is necessary in recipes such as chili pasta and pizza sauces. Unlikе herbs likе basil, oregano can resist heat, so use it at the start of the cooking process. However, use oregano sparingly so that it does not overpower the other ingredients. Save the stems to flavor stocks and soups.
Dirty Elderly Lady Runs into a Gas Station on Rainy Night, Screaming for Help — Story of the Day
A woman walked for miles in the middle of a thunderstorm to save her husband, but when she arrived at the service station, the manager refused to help her.
It was a dark and stormy night… Tara Wilson stared out of the service station’s wide window at the pouring rain and sighed. Just then, a streak of lightning flashed across the sky and the sound of thunder split the night.
Night duty at a gas station wasn’t exactly the exciting job Tara had been dreaming of when she went to journalism school, but unfortunately, she’d had to leave college to support her ailing mother. What Tara didn’t know was that the dreary night was about to become a lot more exciting.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Even as Tara thought about her life, a frail figure was stumbling towards her in the dark, almost bent double against the force of the wind and the driving train. Tara was almost asleep when a gasping voice interrupted her reverie. “Please, oh please…”
Tara, who was seated behind the service station’s counter, jumped to her feet. In front of her, dripping equal portions of rain and mud was an older woman. Her clothes were plastered with oil, dirt, and mud, and dark streaks of makeup ran down her face.
“Ma’am?” Tara gasped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in!”
The woman took another stumbling step forward and held on to the counter with desperate hands. “Please,” she gasped again, “I need your help…”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Oh I’ll just bet you do!” a harsh masculine voice interrupted. It was Tara’s boss, Mr. Anderson, the service station’s night manager who must have heard the woman enter from the back office where he spent his nights online on dubious sites.
Never deny a person in need of help.
“I’ve had enough of you derelicts walking in cadging hot food and coffee every time it rains.” Mr. Anderson snarled. “Get out!”
“Please,” the woman said in a calmer voice, and Tara noticed she had a sweet voice and an educated accent. “I need help, my phone is smashed…”
“Help?” sneered Mr. Anderson. “Did you drive here? Do you need gas? Or motor oil? Do you have money or a credit card?”
“No,” the woman said. “You don’t understand…”
“I understand you just fine.” the manager snarled. “Get out! No car and no money, you get nothing!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The woman pressed her shaking hands together. “My husband and I had a car accident, he’s lying unconscious on the road…All I ask is that you make a phone call!”
Tara made up her mind and stepped forward. “Ma’am, I’ll call 911 for you,” she said. She picked up the receiver of the service station’s landline and dialed. She frowned and picked up her cell phone then shook her head.
“I’m sorry,” she told the woman. “But the storm probably took down the phone lines and the cell tower. Where did you crash?”
The woman’s lips were trembling. “My poor John, oh my poor John…”
Tara came around the counter and put her arm around the woman’s sopping-wet shoulders. “Come on, Ma’am, I’ll drive you to him. We’ll take him to the hospital.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The manager was enraged. “You most certainly will not!” he screamed. “You walk out that door and you’re fired!”
Tara looked at Mr. Anderson and said quietly. “Go ahead, fire me. But I won’t leave a man dying by the roadside.”
“Thank you, my dear,” cried the woman. “My husband is an influential man, you won’t regret this.”
“No matter who your husband is, I won’t regret it, Ma’am,” said Tara as she settled the woman into her car and buckled her seat belt. “My mother always taught us to help whenever we could, no matter who it is.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
With the woman’s guidance, Tara found the scene of the accident. The car was completely destroyed, and by the side of the road and covered with a blanket was an older man.
“John,” the woman cried kneeling by his side, “I’m here, darling, I found help!” The man opened his eyes and tried to speak, but he was obviously too weak. Tara and the woman managed to get him into her car’s backseat, and they drove to the hospital through the pouring rain.
As soon as the hospital’s staff had the man in hand, Tara asked them to take a look at the woman too, who was shivering from shock and exhaustion, then she allowed herself to sink into one of the waiting room chairs.
A while later, a tall young doctor came over and asked if she had been the one who’d brought the older couple over. “Yes,” Tara said. “Are they alright?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Thanks to you!” said the doctor with a smile. “Mrs. Smythe told me what you did. Her husband had internal bleeding, and another half an hour would have been too late. We’re also treating Mrs. Smythe for shock and hypothermia.”
“Mrs. Smythe, that’s the lady’s name?” asked Tara. “And they are going to be alright?”
“Yes, you saved their lives,” said the doctor, casting Tara an admiring look. “You’re a hero!”
“No,” said Tara. “Mrs. Smythe is the hero. She walked five miles in the rain to get help for her husband, and she never gave up!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
As it turned out, Mr. Smythe was the owner of the local TV station, and his news team told the story of how Tara lost her job to save two lives. Mr. Anderson was mentioned by name, and his boss fired him for casting the company in a bad light.
When Mr. Smythe discovered that Tara was a semester away from her journalism major, he hired her as a junior reporter. She was earning a lot more than she had at the service station and doing what she loved.
Rumor has it that Tra has been dating a handsome young doctor she met in an emergency room one dark and stormy night, and he might be on the verge of popping the question…
What can we learn from this story?
- Never deny a person in need of help. Mr. Anderson wanted to run Mrs. Smythe off because she was dirty and he thought she was poor and homeless and it ended up costing him his job.
- Life rewards the kindest hearts. Tara risked her job to help Mrs. Smythe but got the job of her dreams and met a wonderful man.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who discovers his youngest son isn’t his and keeps the secret his whole life.
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