Creating Culinary Art - Garnishing With Herbs!

A career in culinary arts can be both creative and rewarding. From learning classic cooking techniques to experimenting with fusion cuisine, the world of culinary arts is expansive.

Garnishing food is an important part of creating a visually appealing plate. Incorporating herbs can add a fresh, natural element to dishes.

Candied [TAG45] Leaves

A garnish is an edible decoration that enhances the visual appeal and presentation of your dishes. Garnishes add color, texture and aroma to a dish and can help you craft one-of-a-kind meals that celebrate your culinary prowess.

While sprigs of basil pair beautifully with citrus fruits and citrus peels, the leaves can also be candyed to create a delicious garnish for cakes and cocktails. According to MasterClass, the process of candying basil leaves involves rinsing the fresh leaves and drying them thoroughly. Then, the leaves are coated in a sugar mixture that can be applied with a brush or your fingers.

This same method can be used with other herbs and even with flowers like pansies and rose petals. The results are beautiful and tasty. A handful of frosted mint leaves can be added to a chocolate cupcake, lemon balm leaves could dress up a vanilla cheesecake and hyssop leaves would look lovely on a fancy white frosted cake.

Fresh Herbs in Bouquets

The smell of fresh herbs is intoxicating and can enhance the visual appeal and presentation of your dishes. It's easy to create herb bouquets and add them to meals. Herbs make beautiful gifts for any occasion, especially when wrapped in a fragrant bundle.

The classic bouquet garni is an aromatic bundle of herbs tied in cheesecloth and added to soups, stews and braises as they simmer. While you can buy pre-assembled bouquet garni in the produce section, it's simple to make your own at home using the ingredients you already have on hand.

Herbs like lavender, mint, lemon balm and echinacea are known to have therapeutic properties. These fragrant herbs are also beautiful, making a lovely flower bouquet or sachet. Herb bouquets that aren't used right away can be kept in a vase with just enough water to keep them alive and fresh. Make sure to remove any wilted or rotting leaves. Herbs are more delicate than cut flowers, so they require special care when storing.

Herbs in the Garden

Herbs are a natural addition to a garden, providing both color and flavor to your favorite dishes. They are easy to grow, making them a great choice for beginners and families. They are also an attractive addition to a side garden or patio and provide a wonderful smell to your home.

If you want to add a fragrant herb garden to your backyard, look for woody herbs like rosemary and thyme that are suited to the Oklahoma climate and can be grown in the same way as other shrubs. Herbs can also be planted in large pots and used as decorative houseplants.

To preserve herbs, harvest seed pods and flower heads when they turn brown or lose their color. Seal them in a paper bag and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place to finish drying. Once dried, they can be stored in a pint or decorative glass jar for use in savory compound butters and herbal vinegars.

Herbs Indoors

Growing herbs in the kitchen is an easy way to add a fresh, savory flavor and pretty garnish to every dish. It’s also convenient, since you can go from plant to plate in a matter of seconds!

You can use just about any container to grow herbs in, as long as it has drainage holes and nutrient-rich soil. Mason jars, for instance, are a great option since most avid gardeners already have them on hand for canning. Just make sure to add a layer of pebbles in the bottom of each jar to allow water to drain away from the roots without getting saturated.

Herbs add a deliciously fresh, fragrant flavor to all sorts of dishes, from classic Italian pasta to scrumptious Thai curry. By exploring the many creative ways to use these culinary treasures, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of plating! For those with limited outdoor space, herbs also thrive inside.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mother of all herbs?

The answer may surprise you!

It is a common garden herb known as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary has long been associated with fertility, longevity, and protection from illness. In some cultures, it was believed that the fragrance of rosemary could ward off evil spirits.

As such, it has been used for centuries in various medicinal, culinary, and spiritual applications. Rosemary has a unique flavor that pairs well with many dishes, making it a popular choice in the kitchen. Its fragrant leaves also add flavor to sauces, herbs, and meats.

Rosemary is a powerful medicinal herb used throughout the centuries to treat various ailments. Rosemary essential oil can treat respiratory tract infections, digestion problems, skin irritation, and inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful in treating headaches and muscle pain as well. In addition, the oil has been used to improve cognitive function and memory recall. Rosemary can also be taken as a supplement, tea, or tincture for its many benefits.

It's no wonder rosemary is known as the mother of herbs! It truly is a versatile and valued herb.

How is basil used for medicinal purposes?

In ancient times, doctors would prescribe basil leaves to treat colds and coughs. Today, basil contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal remedy for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, eczema, gout, hay fever, indigestion, migraines, menstrual cramps, sinus infections, sore throats, ulcers, varicose veins, and more.

Basil is also known for its ability to help protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, skin conditions, and even aging.

Basil is often referred to as "the herb of grace" because it helps us relax and unwind after stressful situations. It is also said to improve memory and concentration, boost energy levels, increase libido, and enhance athletic performance.

The list goes on and on. Basil is a versatile plant that offers a wide range of benefits for our health and well-being.

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

• Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugars by 10-29% in diabetic patients, which is a significant amount (9Trusted Source10Trusted (healthline.com)
• The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.

External Links

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• Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - IOS Press

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• Peppermint oil (Mintoil®) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial


• Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression, and phosphorylation of CREB

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• Detoxification and antioxidant effects of curcumin in rats experimentally exposed to mercury - Agarwal - 2010 - Journal of Applied Toxicology - Wiley Online Library

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• Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices - PubMed


• Use of echinacea in medicine - PubMed

How To

What to look for in herbs?

Herbs contain natural compounds that may help treat various conditions. In addition, herbal remedies may provide relief when used along with conventional treatments.

Herbal remedies include teas, capsules, tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, oils, and topical applications. Some of these products are meant to be taken internally, while others are applied externally.

The most common uses of herbal remedies include relieving minor aches and pains, treating cold symptoms, reducing fever, controlling coughs and sore throats, easing digestion problems, soothing skin irritations, alleviating menstrual cramps, and providing general health benefits.

When buying herbs, look for the following:

• Freshly picked plants. Avoid dried herbs unless they've been stored in a cool place. If possible, buy herbs directly from farmers' markets.
• Pure extracts. These are made by extracting the active ingredients from herbs using alcohol or water. Look for 100% pure extractions.
• Certified organic herbs. Organic herbs must meet strict standards set forth by the USDA.
• Natural flavors. Many herbs have strong scents that can overwhelm other foods. Adding flavorings such as vanilla, almond, or orange helps mask their smell.
• Potency. The amount of active ingredient per unit weight varies depending on the type of herb.
• Packaging. When purchasing herbs, check the packaging to ensure that it's clean and free of chemicals.

Resources:

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