June 22, 2021, 11:55 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Removing the leaves of parsley, basil, or cilantro from the stem by hand can take a while. Instead, using a kitchen gadget that many already have at home makes it faster and easier.
When cooking, preparing the individual ingredients usually takes the most time. If you’re using herbs for a dish, you must first remove them from the stem before chopping or adding them to the pot. Many people painstakingly pluck the leaves by hand, but there’s a much more practical solution. You can also see how it’s done in the video.
Quick and Easy Herb Removal from Stems–But How?
All you need is a grater, typically used for shredding vegetables or cheese. This household tool is quickly repurposed to remove herbs from the stem. Here’s how: Thread the stem through one of the holes in the cheese grater from the outside until the leaves rest on the surface. Then, simply pull the stem briskly so the leaves are detached and collect on the grater. You can then dispose of the “empty” stem, gather the herbs from the grater, and use them according to your recipe.
Also interesting:Creating Your Own Herb Garden–Here’s How It’s Done
Tip for Faster Herb Chopping
If you’ve removed the herbs from the stem and want to chop them, using the right kitchen utensils can also save time. A good alternative to traditional kitchen knives and cutting boards is a mezzaluna and a matching board. The knife is round and can be rocked back and forth using two handles. The board has a corresponding indentation where the herbs can be chopped quickly and easily.