The powerful aroma of sage makes its mark in recipes as a fresh or dried herb.
Poultry seasoning, breakfast sausage, and herb stuffing just wouldnt be the same without sage!
Its potent smell, both enlivening and soothing, would cling to my fingers.
Simply Recipes / Lori Rice
Weve moved many times since, and I just cant get sage plants to take root the same way.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial herb in the mint family.
Highly aromatic, it is used fresh and dried instuffings,soups, sausages, andmeat dishes.
Simply Recipes / Lori Rice
Sage leaves are 2 to 3 inches long and are tapered.
Culinary sage is different from the woody shrub sagebrush, which is not even in the same plant family.
What Does Sage Taste Like?
Simply Recipes / Lori Rice
Sage makes a statement.
It has a lively, forceful smell that will linger on your fingers if you crush a fresh leaf.
Theres a hint of camphor and a mysterious depth, too.
Cornbread, Sausage, and Sage Stuffing.Emma Christensen and Elizabeth Stark
Fresh vs Dried Sage
Dried sage is more common in kitchens, mostly because its more convenient.
The two forms may come from the same source, but theyre not totally interchangeable.
Dried sage still offers a ton of flavor, so dont discount it as an ingredient.
Simply Recipes / Lori Rice
Dried sage may be labeled in a number of ways.
Theres also rubbed sage, which is in larger pieces.
Its easy to swap dried sage for fresh, or vice versa.
Use about half as much dried sage as you would fresh.
How to Store Fresh Sage
Sage is easy to store.
If you bought it in a small plastic clamshell, just keep it in that.
If the sage is in a bunch, remove the twist tie or rubber band.
Transfer it to a zip-top bag with a barely damp paper towel.
Its a popular seasoning in the cozy fall foods we crave once a chill sets in.
When cooking with fresh sage, chop the leaves up finely.
Slice it finely crosswise.
A hefty dose of dried sage gives breakfast sausage its trademark flavor.
Sage gives an alluring edge to hearty dishes.
Sage is no shrinking violet, so pair it with ingredients that can stand up to its might.
Where to Buy It
For dried sage, look in the spice aisle.
Remember, ground sage and rubbed sage are different; ground sage is finder, like a power.
Rubbed sage has visible bits of leaves.
Dried sage will keep indefinitely, but for the best flavor, use it within a year.
Find fresh sage with the other fresh spices in the produce aisle.
Most grocery stores sell it in plastic clamshells.
Refrigerate the fresh sage in its packaging in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
After that, the leaves get blotchy.
To store, crumble the dry leaves into a small airtight bag or jar.
