Growing Culinary Herbs Gives Your Cooking A Fresh Taste
July 28, 2008
For thousands of years, people have been growing culinary herbs to aid in cooking. If you’d like to have fresh herbs for cooking, growing them is a great way to do it. There are herbs to suit every recipe, from spicy to tangy to salty to simply delicious.
Parsley is a versatile herb that’s good for much more than just a sprig of decoration for sake of appearance. It’s great in dishes from chicken and lamb to cheese, and who hasn’t used a bit when preparing a fish dinner? It’s also a good addition to soups and salads.
One popular herb is thyme, the leaves of a small woody-stemmed plant. Thyme works well in meat sauces, delicate soups, or hearty everyday dishes such as tuna casserole. Whether grilled meats or gourmet cheeses, nearly every imaginable food can benefit from a little added thyme.
When you’re eating Italian food chances are you are enjoying basil. It is added to many dishes for improved flavor.
Use aniseed for a spicy kick. Aniseed is related to Tarragon. The narrow leaves of the herb leave a delightfully spicy flavor to fish and mayo. Anise oil has a licorice-like flavor that compliments many dishes and is used to make artificial licorice.
Growing culinary herbs is surprisingly easy. All they require is sun, water, and soil. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, your herbs can thrive. They are very sturdy and resistant against disease. So what are you waiting for?
Another popular favorite is coriander seeds, which are derived from the cilantro plant. Porks and curries taste fantastic with a little zing from the citrusy coriander seed. Their mild and sweet zest creates delicious chutney, as well. Another herb with a bit of kick is dill. It lends itself perfectly to dressing up a plain old salad or for use in pickling. Added to chutney in combination with olive oil, it can’t be beat.
Cooking makes heavy use of all the herbs that are derived from mint. Sage is one of the most popularly found in American kitchens, followed by rosemary. Peppermint is also great to add a zesty smell and taste to any dish. Any type of mint is a great complement to veal and potato dishes, soups, and even jellies and jams!
It’s less common for people to grow saffron, but anybody with a sense of adventure should try it. Its tangy, honey-like flavor is a delightful departure from the more “traditional” herbs. Turkish people add saffron to rice pudding, but it can also be used in chicken or fish dishes.
No matter what your tastes are, chances are you will love adding herbs to your recipes. Which is why growing culinary herbs is a wonderful way to get the best of gardening and cooking. Try them once and you will use them again and again to transform every day dishes into culinary art.
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