Herbs - The Key to Light and Healthy Cooking!

Herbs can help you prepare healthy meals that contain fewer processed foods and less salt. They also may encourage you to cook more at home – an important step towards better health.

When choosing herbs, look for erect leaves that don’t look limp or wilted. Avoid wavy leaves that tend to be bitter and have few nutrients.

Use them as a healthier alternative to heavy seasoning and sauces.

Before modern medicine, herbs were prized for their curative properties (mint for indigestion, basil for kidney problems and tarragon to treat snake bites). Today, we know that adding herbs to our food not only tastes good but is also healthy.

Herbs are low in calories and provide a variety of essential nutrients. They contain vitamins and minerals, as well as plant compounds with antioxidant properties.

They are a great substitute for salt in many recipes. Salt adds flavor to foods but can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. Herbs are a healthier alternative and offer a delicious burst of flavor.

As our cuisine becomes more diverse and we take advantage of the herbs that grow in our own backyards, there are endless possibilities for how we can use them in our cooking. Experiment with new herbs by substituting them for the ones called for in a recipe and try growing your own to see what flavours you can discover!

Add them to soups and stews.

Herbs add a fresh flavor to soups and stews that can be missing without them. They pair well with other ingredients and can add woody, pungent, nutty, or citrusy flavors.

When it comes to cooking with herbs, the key is to use just enough. Too much and you will overwhelm other flavors. It’s important to have a sharp knife when chopping herbs because a dull blade can bruise and ruin the leaves.

The best way to keep herbs fresh is to use them right before they are needed, or even earlier. They can be stored in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, but be sure to use a perforated bag so that the herbs can breathe. To make them last longer, gently wrap the leaves in a paper towel and seal them in a plastic bag. They will stay good for a few days this way. If you need to substitute with dried herbs, a general rule of thumb is one teaspoon dried for one tablespoon of fresh herb.

Add them to salads.

As well as adding flavour and texture to food, herbs also have a host of other health-promoting properties. Their phytochemicals (plant compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects) are believed to help fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more.

Add new dimensions to green salads by tossing in handfuls of tender-stem herbs like mint, parsley, cilantro or chives. Mixing in edible flowers like marigold petals adds a pretty pop of colour too.

If your herb plants are in full swing, try drying them for winter use. Tie together small bunches of flat leaves, gently wrap in a paper towel and seal into a plastic bag. They will keep for about four to seven days this way. Dried herbs can be used as a replacement for fresh in most recipes, using the general rule of one teaspoon dried for every tablespoon chopped fresh. They also retain their flavour well when cooked.

Add them to curries.

Herbs are an easy way to add flavour and colour to meals without adding fat or salt. They also have a number of health-promoting properties.

Herbs come from herbaceous (non-woody) plants and are used fresh, dried or as a spice. Any other part of the plant that is used, whether dried or not, is referred to as a spice and includes the barks (cinnamon), berries (peppercorns), seeds (cumin), roots (turmeric) and flowers (chamomile).

For example, basil is a versatile herb that works well in many Mediterranean and Italian dishes. It can be added to salads or used to make pesto. It also pairs nicely with tomato-based sauces, soups, stews and curries. It is a delicate herb so should be added near the end of cooking. Dried basil is a good substitute for fresh and retains its flavour when cooked. It is also a great accompaniment to oily fish and lamb. Thyme is an earthy but subtle herb that can be used in all stages of cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

What are healing flowers?

Healing flowers are plants that promote peace and tranquillity. They help us unwind after a stressful day and make us feel more relaxed.

They also help us connect to our inner selves and reconnect with nature.

These beautiful blooms are used for meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

We call hundreds of varieties of flowering plants ‘healing’ because they provide such a fantastic experience.

This list includes roses, lilies, irises, daffodils, peonies, tulips, hyacinths, and many more.

But there are two species that I find particularly special. These are the Geranium and Lilium.

Geraniums are very easy to grow and come in various colors. Liliums are also known as lily-of-the-valley, which means 'lily' and 'valley.' Both of these species are popular garden flowers.

Healing flowers are often found growing near water. They are said to bring peace and calmness to those who meditate with them.

In ancient times, people would light candles in flower petals to symbolize the sun. This way, they could honor the sun without needing to go outdoors.

Some say that when you look at these flowers, you may see angels dancing.

What is the difference between "regular" and smoked paprika powder?

Regular Paprika Powder (Piment d'Espelette) is an essential ingredient for our recipes. We use it for its intense flavor and color. It's also used as a spice and seasoning agent. Smoked Paprika Powder (Paprika Chorizo) adds a smoky taste and aroma to dishes. Both types of Paprika Powder come from Spain, where they grow the best peppers in the world.

Smoked Paprika Powder (Chorizo Paprika) is made from red peppers, which are dried slowly in special ovens. This gives them a rich flavor. They are then ground and mixed with salt, garlic, and spices.

Regular Paprika Powder (Espelette Paprika) is made by grinding green bell peppers without additives.

Statistics

• The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
• 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)

External Links

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• Amazon.com: Starwest Botanicals Organic Bilberries Whole, 4 Ounces: Grocery & Gourmet Food

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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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• Bouquet garni - Wikipedia

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• Ashwagandha | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


• Grape Seed | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

How To

How To Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, And More?

There are more ways to use herbs than you might realize. This is why it's essential to keep an open mind when learning how to make herbal infusions, oils, tinctures, and more.

You'll find that there are many methods for making these products, and even though they may seem similar, each method has its benefits.

For example, some methods include creating decoctions, boiling water or alcohol with the herb(s), and letting them simmer for a while. These infusions are solid and potent because they contain higher concentrations of active compounds.

Another type of infusion includes macerating the herb(s), which means soaking them in liquid for a few hours or even overnight. Macerations tend to produce milder results because the plant material isn't boiled.

Some cold-infused forms involve steeping herbs in cool liquids such as ice cubes or cold water. Cold infusions are gentler than hot ones, often used to treat minor ailments.

Herbal oil extraction involves heating the herb(s) to release the essential oils. You can either do this yourself or have someone help you out with it.

Finally, there are tinctures made by mixing herbs with alcohol. They're usually taken orally and are very effective for treating coughs, colds, and flu symptoms.

The best way to learn how to create infused products is to experiment with various techniques. Each technique offers a different potency and effectiveness, depending on the herb(s) you choose.

Once you've tried a few different methods, you'll begin to develop your preferences. In time, you'll be able to determine which techniques work well for you and which aren't worth pursuing.

Resources:

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