For many people, the cool days of autumn mean more time in the kitchen cooking up those feel-good recipes. And our favorite comfort foods wouldn’t be the same without fresh herbs adding taste and aroma.
One creative way to keep fresh herbs on hand is to assemble them into an herb broom, in which herbs are tied together on a stick, or in this case, a wooden spoon. It serves as a functional kitchen decoration and also makes a great hostess gift if you’re invited somewhere for a meal this season.
I recommend using heartier herbs like rosemary, thyme and bay leaves, as they’ll keep their shape as they dry. Avoid delicate varieties like cilantro or basil, as they will wilt quickly.
I’ve created many herb wreaths through the years as hostess gifts, but herb brooms are so much easier to make, and frankly, they’re a lot more fun to give. It’s sure to sweep someone off their feet.
What you’ll need:
Fresh herbs
Wooden spoon
String
Ribbon
1. Place herbs on a paper towel to dry. I like using three herbs for this broom. It’s simple, yet offers variety.
2. Tie some sprigs of herbs to the handle of the wooden spoon using string. The herbs will be more secure if you tie smaller batches at a time to the spoon.
3. Continue tying herbs to the spoon. Adjust the placement of the herbs as needed, and tie some extra knots if any herbs seem loose.
4. Tie a ribbon on the handle to cover the strings.
Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.
