Homemade Celery Leaf Seasoning
Don't discard those vibrant celery leaves! Turn them into a fragrant, healthy, all-purpose seasoning perfect for eggs, pasta, or marinades.
Celery leaves are often overlooked, yet they hold an incredible concentration of aromatic flavor. By gently drying them, you can preserve their vibrant green color and intense savory notes. This simple pantry staple brings a fresh, earthy boost to everything from morning omelets to evening stir-fries.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh celery leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- to taste optional dried herbs
Instructions
- 1Trim the celery leaves
Start by using a pair of kitchen shears to carefully trim the fresh celery leaves away from the tough stalks over a sink. Make sure to collect only the vibrant, healthy leaves to ensure the best flavor for your homemade seasoning.
Tip: Dont discard the leftover stalks! They can be chopped up and saved for making vegetable broths, soups, or stir-fries. - 2Wash and salt the leaves
Submerge the trimmed celery leaves in a sink or a large bowl filled with clean water. Add a little salt to the water and wash the leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities, then drain off all the excess water.
Tip: Using a salad spinner after washing can help remove the maximum amount of moisture, which significantly reduces the baking time. - 3Transfer to the air fryer
Once the celery leaves are well-drained and just slightly damp, place them directly into the basket of your air fryer. Spread them out evenly and bake at 120 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, making sure to toss or flip them halfway through the cooking time.
Tip: If you have a very large batch of leaves, it is better to air fry them in multiple smaller batches rather than overcrowding the basket. - 4Crush the dried leaves
Once the celery leaves have been air-fried until brittle, use your hand (protected by a plastic glove) to crush them directly inside the air fryer basket. This breaks the leaves down into a fine, flavorful seasoning powder.
Tip: Make sure the leaves are completely crispy before crushing; if they feel flexible, they need more time in the air fryer. - 5Sift the crushed leaves
To achieve a fine and uniform texture for your seasoning, pour the hand-crushed celery leaves into a fine-mesh sieve set over a metal bowl. Gently shake and press the dried leaves through the sieve to filter out any larger, uncrushed pieces or tough stems.
Tip: You can use the back of a spoon or a small ladle to gently press the dried leaves against the mesh, forcing more of the flavorful powder through. - 6Store the celery seasoning
Your simple, healthy, and incredibly fragrant celery seasoning is now ready to use! Carefully transfer the sifted green powder into a small, clear plastic jar or an airtight container. It is perfect for sprinkling on fried eggs, pasta, steak, or marinating meats.
Tip: Store the sealed container in a cool, dark pantry to maintain its vibrant green color and potent aroma for as long as possible.
