Culinary Herbs
I love fresh herbs! I love growing them and cooking with them. The scent and flavor of herbs have enhanced foods for centuries. Every culture from Asian and Indian to European and African have used herbs in cooking. The 16 most common culinary herbs used today are basil, bay leaves, chives, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme. Using herbs correctly in cooking can transform an ordinary meal into a magnificent one.
Cooking with herbs is easy and fun. If you want to try a new herb you should first smell it then taste it. Think of the the foods you would like to cook with it. An easy way of experimenting with herbs is to add just one herb to some butter. You can use your herb butter on steak, chicken, fish or potatoes. When experimenting with herbs try adding just one at a time to a recipe and taste your creation before adding another herb. Add herbs to sauces, pizzas, salads and soups. Of course you can use my recipes to experiment too. A good rule of thumb when using fresh herbs is 1 tablespoon fresh herbs=1 teaspoon dry herbs.
It's always best to use fresh herbs when they are available because they have a much more pungent scent and flavor. Having your own herb garden is an easy way to have fresh herbs available year round. If you don't have the room to plant an herb garden outside just choose your favorite herbs and grow them in containers near a sunny window.
Using the herbs from your garden is as easy as cutting what you need when you need it. You can save your fresh herbs for later use by drying them. Dried herbs should be stored in dark airtight jars for up to a year. Fresh herbs can also be preserved by adding them to oils or vinegars. If you need to buy your herbs from the market store them in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
Herbs have many uses, not only do they add flavor to the foods we eat but many herbs like mint help in digestion. Herbs are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, for instance, tarragon is a good source of iodine, vitamin A and vitamin C. Chives can stimulate appetites whereas fennel can relieve hunger. If you are interested in growing your own herbs or to find other uses for herbs go to: backyardedibles.com it has a wealth of interesting information and tips.
It's always best to use fresh herbs when they are available because they have a much more pungent scent and flavor. Having your own herb garden is an easy way to have fresh herbs available year round. If you don't have the room to plant an herb garden outside just choose your favorite herbs and grow them in containers near a sunny window.
Using the herbs from your garden is as easy as cutting what you need when you need it. You can save your fresh herbs for later use by drying them. Dried herbs should be stored in dark airtight jars for up to a year. Fresh herbs can also be preserved by adding them to oils or vinegars. If you need to buy your herbs from the market store them in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
Herbs have many uses, not only do they add flavor to the foods we eat but many herbs like mint help in digestion. Herbs are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, for instance, tarragon is a good source of iodine, vitamin A and vitamin C. Chives can stimulate appetites whereas fennel can relieve hunger. If you are interested in growing your own herbs or to find other uses for herbs go to: backyardedibles.com it has a wealth of interesting information and tips.
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