3 ways to freeze cilantro for the winter

Cilantro can be successfully stored for long periods of time at low temperatures. How to freeze cilantro for the winter, how to preserve the valuable qualities of greens in the freezer. Three of the simplest but most delicious ways.

Method 1. Green leaves

Fresh cilantro leaves can be stored for no longer than 1 week in the refrigerator. Freezing will extend the shelf life up to 1 year. In the process, cilantro, like many greens, loses its rich green color. To prevent this, you need to subject the plant to quick and strictly one-time freezing. All thawed greens should be used.

How to freeze cilantro sprigs and leaves:

1. First, select beautiful whole shoots. There should be no yellowness or spots on them - choose only healthy leaves.
2. Rinse the cilantro under running water, you can soak it briefly so that all the dust goes into the water.
3. Now dry the branches completely on a paper or waffle towel.
4. Prepare plastic containers with lids or freezer bags.
5. Cilantro is frozen both in sprigs and in the form of slices. Choose the most convenient method.
6. Place the greens in portions, squeeze the air out of the bags and tie them tightly.
7. Now quickly freeze the cilantro: the lower the temperature in the chamber, the more beneficial substances will be preserved in the leaves. Cilantro, subjected to shock freezing, remains green and fragrant.

There is another trick to preserve color: blanching. After washing, the cilantro leaves should be scalded with boiling water or poured over everything for a maximum of half a minute.You can’t keep it in boiling water longer: the beneficial properties will be lost.

Advice
Frozen cuts will be easier to use for ready-made meals. And whole cilantro is like a spice that is added during the cooking process.

Ice with cilantro

Portioned ice cubes with aromatic herbs will be a beautiful and unusual addition to soups and other hearty dishes, as well as healthy green smoothies. This method of freezing cilantro is not as popular as dry cutting, but a couple of ice containers can be prepared to surprise guests.

Advice
The magazine purity-en.htgetrid.com recommends silicone molds, which are used for candies and cookies. The ice cube will also freeze well in them, but it will be much easier and faster to remove it than from ice containers. Just press down on the bottom of the mold and the portion will pop out.

How to cook:

1. Wash the cilantro, select large leaves and cut them with a knife.
2. Chop very finely or leave whole leaves.
3. Now scatter the cilantro in small pinches into the ice cube container.
4. Fill everything with water about 2/3 full. In the refrigerator it will expand, and the cubes with cilantro will turn out even and tall.
5. Done, now move the workpiece to the freezer and use as needed.

Cilantro in oil

Cilantro with oil is a very beautiful and aromatic addition to salads, soups, sauces, and main courses. It is prepared with both vegetable and creamy ingredients. The tastiest mixtures are those based on olive oil. If you prefer creamy taste, then find a natural product without herbal additives.

How to cook cilantro in oil for the winter:

1. Chop the washed coriander greens a little with a knife, do not chop them too much. The blender will do the rest of the work.Dip the leaves and stems into it and puree until smooth.
2. Now you need to combine the cilantro with oil. Amount - to your taste, optimal - 50-100 ml of oil per 50 g of cilantro. Mix everything thoroughly, you can additionally beat with a blender.
3. All that remains is to distribute the mass into molds, or into small containers and plastic cups.
4. When the ice tray has been in the freezer for 3-4 hours, take it out, squeeze out all the cilantro cubes in the oil and put them in a bag. This will make it faster and more convenient to get the sauce out.

After removing cilantro from the freezer, use it within 2-3 days. Preparations in oil do not last long - 1-3 months; chopped greens are also recommended to be eaten in the first months after preparation. Either way, this is a great option to preserve the flavor and benefits of coriander greens.