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I remember someone telling me, many years ago, that once I started cooking with fresh herbs, I'd never go back. I didn't "get it" back then. I wondered, what could be so great about some little green leaves?
Now, depending on the season, I always have a stash of Fabulous Fresh Herbs in my garden, on my window sill or in my refrigerator. I'm thrilled that Spring has wrapped her lovely warm arms around us. I love seeing my herbs leaping, in growth, literally by the day! Seeing them leap makes my heart leap and I have to admit that "somebody" many years ago was perfectly correct. Fresh herbs do add amazing flavor to just about everything. And I never want to go back.
I can't imagine cooking without Fabulous Fresh Herbs.
I love the fabulous flavor and extra special eye-appeal that a sprinkle of fragrant green herbs can bring to a simple meal.
I've learned to use them quite extensively in cooking as well as for garnishes; but there was a time when even the thought of fresh herbs had me quite intimidated. I liked the idea, but had no clue how to incorporate them into my daily culinary endeavors.
A few Café Tips on Cooking with Fabulous Fresh Herbs
Over the years, and with lots of experimentation, I've grow much more "herb-proficient". I'd like to share a few tips to help you along the way.
- Start with a few basic, simple herbs like basil, thyme, and/or parsley.
- Purchase one type of fresh herb each week when grocery shopping. Look for ways to use this weekly treasure in a variety of recipes. Do an online search for recipes that include this herb. Add a sprinkle to salads, sandwiches, omelets, soups, and pizzas. It won't take you long to discover what combinations you enjoy together.
- You'll find that bland foods, like potatoes, eggs, bread, crackers, etc. will combine well with many different herbs. A simple but comprehensive guide for pairing herbs and food can be found here.
- Add fresh herbs just before the end of the cooking time to retain the wonderful flavor.
- When substituting fresh herbs for the dried variety, a general rule of thumb is to use three times the amount. For example if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, substitute 3 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves. Dried herbs are much more potent and concentrated than fresh.
- When you bring fresh herbs home from the market, remove any rubber bands or twist ties. This bunching together will hold moisture in the herb stems that causes rotting. Hardy herbs, like parsley, thyme, cilantro and rosemary can be rinsed right away and spun dry in a salad spinner. After spinning, spread them out on several thicknesses of paper towel and allow them to air dry for 10-15 minutes. Next, gently wrap them in the paper towels and store in a zippered plastic bag. Change the paper towels each day. This will greatly extend the life of the herbs. For tender herbs like basil and mint, wait until just before using to rinse and spin or air dry.
- Remove any tough, woody stems. Use your sharpest knife for chopping herbs to prevent bruising of the leaves.
- Try your hand at growing your own herbs during the warm months. Fresh herbs are easy to grow, but most of them like regular watering and fertilization. If you're anything like me, and tend to be a bit lazy and quite forgetful when it comes to watering that can be a problem, especially here in North Carolina where the summers are hot and dry. My husband Scott has come up with a great solution we use to ensure a bumper crop of healthy herbs all summer long. You can check out his simple irrigation technique here:Â "How to Have Endless Fresh Herbs without Endless Watering". It seems almost too good to be true but believe me, it works!
- During growing season, I like to clip bunches of fresh herbs, bring them inside and rinse them with cool water. I place them in small jars or vases and keep them on my kitchen window sill. That way, whenever I want to use them, they're clean and ready instantly. I don't even have to get my feet wet, walking out to the deck or garden.
- Herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint can be easily propagated. Purchase one plant and end up with enough to supply yourself and all of neighbors with plants of their own. Check out the step-by-step tutorial here.
Here are a few of our favorite Café recipes that utilize fresh herbs.
Pesto, Pepper & Sopressato Salad
Smashed Potatoes with Fresh Herb Gremolata
Israeli Couscous & Orzo Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
There are a zillion more recipes featuring Fabulous Fresh Herbs here on our blog. I find them quite irresistible, adding amazing flavor to almost any recipe. You will too. Once you start using these magical little leaves, you'll never want to be "herbless." Bon Appetit!
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Thanks for sharing all the detailed instructions about herb gardening. You're so lovely!
I could not agree with you more! I love cooking with fresh herbs.... I add basil to just about anything! I actually just wrote a post about how to keep basil indoors - check it out! http://bit.ly/1ncDUHW
Hi Chris! I'm waaayyyy behind on my blog reading so I am using Easter evening to catch up. I am so grateful for this post. I have tried growing herbs in the past, but with limited success. However, I am tired of buying herbs from the store that are too much for two people to use before they spoil! Let's see if this helps!
Hope your day was blessed!
Gorgeous photos Chris! It's not quite warm enough to plant outside yet, but I've got an indoor basil plant year round. Nothing brightens my mood like a whiff of fresh basil!
Love your herb set up! We're lucky enough to have space in our garden for a pretty extensive herb garden, but it's not as nifty looking as yours. It's impossible to cook without fresh herbs, isn't it? At least for me! Good stuff -- thanks.
I too love growing my own herbs though living in a tiny apartment in a polluted metro city makes it tough. Yet I try to manage a few. But when the plants wilt while I go for my annual vacations, it pains me to no end!
I love the first shot and you really have taken a great deal of care of those wonderful herbs.
Chris, absolutely outstanding pictures of all your herbs - I could not agree with you more. Cannot live without those herbs that should always be close by for cooking and baking!
Have a lovely Wednesday!
I love cooking with fresh herbs, what great tips!
Your plants look so vibrant! I'm looking forward to gardening this year. It's been many years since I had a garden and really didn't appreciate it at all. I can't wait and will use your tips. Thank you!
I've always wanted to have my own herb garden but the weather here is so harsh... It can get too cold and too hot in some days. I'll make sure to check your article and know how you managed the snowy days. Thanks
Nothing better than fresh herbs. You have a green thumb!
Thank goodness Spring has arrived here in Raleigh!
Chris, have you ever heard about pineapple sage? That is what I found at our market today - lovely little greeen leaves and when you rub them your fingers smell of pineapple. To be used in fruit salads. I had never seen that herb before.
Your herb garden is fabulous. I can't wait to get started on mine this spring. The cold got my rosemary, but I'm anxious to start anew. I always cook with fresh herbs when possible.
Sam
I love the herb garden on your deck railing. Clever and I think about it every time I look at our deck. 🙂
They are almost too pretty to eat, and I am afraid I would be tempted to keep them as houseplants on my kitchen window sill!!
Thank you so much for the tips, Chris. Those photos are beautiful!
I cannot tell you how many times I've looked at my deck rails and wished for your lovely herb garden and watering system. You have a very sweet husband and your pots of fresh green herbs look so happy! They are some of the prettiest plants I've ever seen. You know I love gardening and fresh herbs make me very happy too.
What a great article you wrote for Parade Magazine, great tips too. Your herbs look so healthy, love how you have them in little pots here and there.
Your pics all look healthy and happy! I lost my rosemary bush and thyme to the extra harsh winter this year. Looking forward to getting new plants in a couple weeks. Happy Easter Week Chris:@)
Lovely herbs. Our last freeze date is April 15. Guess what's happening tonight? 27 degrees?
I love your little herb garden Chris! Everything looks so healthy. My poor garden has been ver neglected but I'm looking forward to nursing it back to health.
Gorgeous! Fresh herbs are definitely the way to go. So delicious and fragrant. Thanks for sharing your tips and happy spring, Chris!
What wonderful photos, Chris! I absolutely agree with you - fresh herbs make all the difference!
I am SO jealous of your cool herb growing set up --- it makes me want to just sit on that porch with a glass of wine and inhale!