Growing Culinary Herbs
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A great way to have a continuous supply of herbs for cooking is by growing culinary herbs in your own garden. There are many great herbs have been used for thousands of years to add flavor to a variety of dishes. Herbs can have a tang to them, or they can be spicy or even salty, or they can be simply delicious. For any recipe out there, there is the perfect herb.
Parsley is a herb best applied to a fish dinner but this popular herb can be bestowed upon a variety of meals with appetizing results. Do not downgrade your parsley to a simple decorative role with your meal, enjoy it in your chosen recipe for the day.
The most common ingredient in recipes is Thyme. Thyme is made from the leaves of a woody-stemmed plant that is small in size. This herb works wonders when added to tuna casserole. It is brilliant in sauces for beef or in stews, and in chicken or cheeses. It seems that almost any dish can benefit when a bit of thyme is added.
One beautifully pungent herb used as a common addition to Italian dishes — Basil — is used for good reason. It adds what many chefs like to call the ‘right’ touch. This is an herb of many uses, whether used for varieties of recipes from colorful pastas to cheesy pizzas, and is recommended greatly when preparing one’s tomato sauce for sophisticated, delicious pasta dishes.
If you’re looking for something a little more spicy, you might want to try aniseed. The oil of this tastes much like licorice, which is why it is used to make artificial licorice. Tarragon is related to this herb. The leaves of tarragon have a spicy flavor that can be used to add flavor to both fish and mayonnaise alike.
Growing culinary herbs is not a very difficult task at all. Soil, water and sunshine are really all they need, the same as any other type of herb. As a matter of fact, they are actually quite hardy and disease-resistant. Yes, growing your own herbs for cooking is really rather simple!
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.
Many herbs are used in cooking that are members of the mint family. The two most common are sage and rosemary. Peppermint, a herb that gives a wonderful odor and taste is also a great addition to many items. If you’re looking for something to complement veal or potatoes, a good choice is mint. Mint is also used in soups and for making jelly.
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.
