Heiter Cooking: dried herbs for winter

Autumn is in full swing and the temperatures are dropping day by day. I have started to harvest the herbs from our garden. In recent years I’ve made a habit of freezing some so that I can use them throughtout the winter months and keep some of those heiter summer feelings alive. The rest is usually hung up to dry for about three to four weeks and then used for cooking and self-care. I shared a photo of my “hung up herbs” on Instagram earlier this autumn and some of you wanted to know more about it. For that reason, I’ve decided to share instructions on how to do it as well as some insights into how I use my dried herbs.

What you will need:

• secateurs or scissors

• twine or string

• jars and/or little bowls for your dried herbs

• optional: baking tray

1) Collect your herbs by cutting at the base of the stem. Using your twine or string, make little bunches. Remember to make sure that your twine/string is long enough so that you can hang your bunches afterwards. I would recommend making one bunch per herb but you can of course also mix your herbs if you prefer.

2) Find a dry spot where you can hang your bunches of herbs. We have a little covered patio so I usually hang my herbs there but you can of course choose whatever works for you.

3) Leave the bunches for about 3-4 weeks. Take them down once they’re fully dried out. To ensure your herbs dry a bit quicker, you could take them down a little earlier, pick the individual leaves and spread them out evenly on a baking tray. Leave on there for a day or two.

4) Once your herbs are dry, pick the individual leaves and put them into jars (a closed jar will make it easier to store the herbs throughout winter). If you know for sure that you will use some of the herbs sooner rather than later, you can also use a little bowl instead of a jar.

5) Your herbs are ready to use.

Additional info on the herbs from my garden

This year I dried sage, rosemary, thyme, mint and lemon balm. Would you like to know how I am going to use them? See below.

Sage: as garnish on soup, as seasoning for meats and roasted vegetables, for sage butter, mixed into stuffing, in tomato sauce, for scrambled eggs. I sometimes also boil the leaves to make tea & soothe a sore throat.

Rosemary: to make rosemary salt or rosemary infused olive oil, to season meat and roasted vegetables. I sometimes also mix it with bath salts.

Thyme: as garnish on soups, a seasoning for mashed potatoes, meats & roasted vegetables, for pasta sauces and herb butter. Thyme tea is said to help with PMS, lift the mood and lower blood pressure.

Mint: I adore classic mint tea so most of my mint is usually for that in winter. I’ve also used it to season salads, make mint pesto and as garnish for mocktails though.

Lemon balm: lemon balm tea has been one of my go to’s whenever I cannot sleep. Apparently, it reduces stress and calms a sore stomach (also period pain), migranes and colds. I’ve added it to hot baths before and I’ve used it to season mushrooms, vegetables, desserts as well as homemade dips.

Words & images: Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine

Are you looking for more seasonal inspiration?

Then my e-book “#heiterautumn - Finding and Celebrating Heiterkeit in Autumn” might be just the right thing for you.

How to feel heiter after a long day

A long day at work, traffic on the way home. You’re supposed to cook dinner when you get back and bring out the recycling too. I know, it’s exhausting and I can imagine that all you want to do is go to bed. Not so fast! Why? I believe we should make the most of the time that belongs to us, after all, it is what we work so hard for. Our time should be used to focus on the heiter side of life. The fact of the matter is that we only live once and it would be a shame to let life go by with negative thoughts or the feeling that we didn’t get anything out of it.

The first thing we need to do is to change our perspective.  Try revisiting points in your day and identifying what was good about it. Let’s give it a go:

-          Yes, your day at work was long but perhaps you learned something from the task you needed to do. Maybe the way you had to communicate your ideas in a meeting was great practice for pitching your future creative business.

-          Due to the traffic it took you 30 minutes longer to get home. It did however mean that you had those 30 minutes needed to listen to a great podcast. 

-          You’re supposed to cook dinner. Isn’t that great? Mindfully chopping the vegetables can be therapeutic and the good vitamins and minerals you’re feeding your body will bring you more energy.

-          You have to bring the recycling out. Yay to recycling! You can really make a difference and work towards a better world by joining in.

How did that feel? Did I manage to cheer you up a little? Good! If you need more Heiterkeit (cheerfulness) there are a few more things I can recommend.

-          Make yourself a soothing cup of tea.

-          Get some fresh air. If it’s a walk with your dog or some quiet time in the garden, a few minutes outside really can make a difference.

-          Have a bath. Essentials oils are always a good addition, or if you have a bit more time and all the ingredients try out the Calming Rose Bath by the lovely Becky Cole.

-          Listen to your favourite song(s).

-          Meditate, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I use an app for my daily mediation but you can of course do it without one too.

-          Phone someone you love and talk about a lovely memory the two of you share.

-          Write down three things you’re grateful for.

-          Light some candles, wrap yourself in a blanket and relax.

-          Read a poem or a good book before you go to sleep.

I hope this post helps you and makes it easier for you to find #heitermoments in your everyday life. Keep me posted on how you get on and if you have anything to add to the list above, let me know.

Be heiter!

Deutsche Version hier.

Words & images: Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine