Dill
Cooking applications:
A symbol of vitality since ancient times, dill has often been viewed as having magical powers. During the Middle Ages some people thought (more…)
Category: Herbs
The 1-2-3 Guide to Help You Grow Rosemary and Sage
Rosemary
Cooking applications:
Known as “dew of the sea” in Latin, rosemary is one of the most aromatic and powerful of herbs.
Originating near the Mediterranean, rosemary features needle-like leaves and a pronounced lemon-pine flavor that wonderfully complements focaccia, garlic, pizza, roasted lamb, tomato sauce, garlic, and olive oil.
Caution is needed when (more…)
The 6 No-Fail Ways to Dry Herbs
Are you into the joys of successful herb gardening? Do you love using your homegrown herbs to add zest and aroma to your everyday dishes? Do you want the convenience of having ready-to-use herbs in your kitchen cupboard?
If you answer yes to these questions, then it’s best if you learn how to properly dry your fresh herbs.
One of the simplest and easiest ways of preserving herbs is by drying them. In fact, drying herbs can be pretty exciting! Think of how you will enjoy having a (more…)
Herbs from the Compositae Family That I Love Most
These herb plants are members of the daisy tribe.
1) Tarragon
The most important is tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus, one of the many pungent artemisias. This really is a versatile herb and is almost a necessity in some dishes.
The blend of three herbs, chervil, chives and tarragon is thought by some gourmets to be perfect.
It is the herb used in hollandaise, bearnaise and tartare sauces, or rather the herb which should be used.
It is often made into a puree to flavor bechamel sauce for filling vol-au-vents, and for serving with certain vegetables. It is made into butters to serve with vegetables and shell fish.
A good chicken herb for either boiling or roasting, it is fine used (more…)
The 1-2-3 Guide to Help You Grow Onion Bulbs, Oregano and Parsley
Onion (Bulbs)
Cooking applications:
The humble onion’s traditional use in fighting infections and respiratory illness might be behind its reputed use by Alexander the Great to give his troops strength for battle.
The bulb is used fresh and dried/powdered, and serves as both vegetable and flavoring agent. It goes well in virtually any savory dish, and is used raw or cooked.
To avoid shedding tears when chopping onions, store them in the refrigerator and chop when cold. Onion powder, flakes, and salt can be bitter, so it is best to use fresh onions, which are available year-round in most locations.
Medicinal qualities:
A pungent plant, onion offers nutritional benefits such as flavonoids and phenolics that fight against cancer, inflammation and infection.
The juice from an onion bulb can be applied to (more…)
The 1-2-3 Guide to Help You Grow Celery, Chives and Cilantro
Celery
Cooking applications:
Celery, with its umbellate flowers, is a relative of Queen Anne’s lace and also bears some resemblance to poison hemlock. The seeds are used as seasoning, and both stalks and roots are popular vegetables.
Classic flavor combinations are found in Creole cuisine’s use of celery, onions, and bell peppers, and French cooking’s celery, onion, and carrot mirepoix.
Most savory dishes benefit from its use. Cut celery turns brown within a few hours of preparation, so be sure to chop or slice shortly before use if using raw.
Medicinal qualities:
Most people think of celery as (more…)
These Herb Plants Will Make Your Garden Look Mind-Blowing
Although most people grow herbs for a purely utilitarian purpose, there are others who grow them simply because they are fascinated by the plants.
Certainly once you delve into their histories you are inclined to view them all with a more knowing eye, and you are likely to give garden room to any that can claim the historical fame of having once been useful if only to the Borgias.
For instance, on my herb bank grows an ever—though slowly—increasing colony of evergreen alkanet.
All the plants have been produced by one poor (more…)
