How To Prepare Fresh Oregano
Dried oregano is a quick and convenient ingredient, but the fresh stuff will bring your cooking to a whole new level. Before using your oregano, wash it and dry it. Then remove the leaves from the stalks. Although the leaves are soft to the touch, the stalks can be woody, so don't use them in your cooking. Usually, oregano leaves are on the small side, so you can use them whole, but if they're too big, tear them in half or chop them up.
For the tastiest results, add fresh oregano to your dishes right at the end of the cooking time. Oregano has a rich flavour and hearty aroma, and it'll lose its strength if you cook it for too long. Just as your meal is done, add a sprinkling of fresh oregano and stir it in. This is a great way to brighten up your favourite pasta sauces. In particular, oregano is the perfect partner for tomato sauces or anything with aubergine. You don't need to use too much. Just a little bit of fresh oregano will bring a warm, delightful and herby taste to your meals. There's a reason why the Italians love this herb.
If you've got a lot of fresh oregano to spare, carefully wrap it up in damp kitchen paper and place it into a plastic container or bag. Store it in the fridge. Kept like this, it'll stay fresh for up to three days. You'll just have to think of more great recipes to try before it goes off.
