Best method on how to chop fresh parsley?

Question

I know this may seem like an obvious question but I need some advice. I have normally opted to use dried parsley in place of fresh parsley but today I did not. Since fresh parsley is wet should I dry it first? Should I use a knife or a blender? Is all of the parsley eatable, even the stem? Thanks for all of your help :0)

Answer 1

I chop off the stems where the leaves get full.  I also use a knife and just rock back and forth (knife stays in same location) and you push parsley through blade.  Then switch directions with the knife and push through again.

I find a blender difficult without adding additional moisture such as olive oil.

Answer 2

I put the wet parsley in a paper towel and blot it.  I'd probably chop off a finger if I did it like the chefs on tv, so I put it in my food processor and pulse it:)   Most the stems chop then too, and I just pull out the big ones

Answer 3

I would dry it off, pick the leaves off the stems (it's ok if some of the littler stems are still intact, and, if you are comfortable using a knife, roll the parsley leaves up into a tight bundle and run your knife slowly through the leaves, watch your fingers! Then it's just a matter of gathering the parsley back up and continuing the chopping until it is the consistency you like.

If you are using this as a garnish, my chef at school always says to then take the chopped parsley and tightly roll it into a paper towel to remove excess moisture, and you may need to repeat this process a couple of times...this makes it light and fluffy and easy to sprinkle on top of food. If you aren't using it as a garnish, skip the drying.

You can save the parsley stems if you make your own homemade stock.