Master the Art of Herb Pairings

Adding herbs to a recipe is a simple and delicious way to boost flavor, aromas, color and texture. Whether you are looking to bring an international or feel-good Italian dish to the table, a simple herb switch can make a world of difference!

Start small, by sprinkling herbs on cheese or stirring into dishes. Experiment with dill and mint on grilled cheese or thyme mixed into baked macaroni and cheese.

Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum and Petroselinum neapolitanum) has a light, refreshing flavor that brightens up savory dishes. It pairs well with a wide variety of dishes, and is chock-full of iron.

When used sparingly, it's one of the most effective herb garnishes. It is also a versatile base for sauces and salad dressings.

It works well with almost all foods, including fish and poultry. Try sprinkling over roasted chicken or grilled fish, or adding it to a vegetable medley. It's also a good substitute for cilantro in recipes.

Parsley is an ideal match for Middle Eastern foods, and it makes a vibrant addition to tabbouleh, a classic Mediterranean grain salad. It also shines in a green chimichurri, a sauce that will have you drizzling it over everything! This herby dish is easy to make and will quickly become a lunch staple.

Mint

Mint offers a cool refreshing flavor profile that pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes, drinks and salads. It accentuates the freshness of spring peas and tender lamb, dresses up sugary fruit salads, adds a twist to alcoholic beverages, and works as an excellent garnish for desserts.

Like parsley, mint blends beautifully with many vegetables and fruits, but is particularly well suited for combining with citrus flavors. It also complements savory ingredients like onion and garlic, enhancing their flavors with its cool zip.

This versatile herb is an easy-to-grow favorite for kitchen herbal gardens, and it’s widely available at grocery stores. Look for it in the produce section, or ask your local grower for suggestions. Epicurious recommends choosing bright green, healthy looking leaves that are hydrated and free of brown spots. You can store your freshly harvested herbs in a glass of water and plastic bag, or by using a FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealing System to preserve them for later use.

Dill

Dill is a two-for-one herb, both the leafy fronds and seeds are edible. Harvest the leaves as soon as the plant reaches 6” tall, but avoid taking more than a third of its total size at one time to keep the crop healthy and encourage new growth.

Dried dill seeds have an aromatic and slightly sweet flavor. They pair well with root vegetables (including carrots, which it shares a fennel-like ancestor); summer vegetables like cucumbers; rich creamy bases from mayonnaise to sour cream; and eggs.

These dill pickles are a classic, quick and easy weeknight meal. They are lightly battered and deep fried, so they’re not too heavy to enjoy on their own or as a side with other meals.

Thyme

Thyme pairs well with a variety of dishes, including roasted vegetables, potato soups and chicken dinners. It’s a major flavor note in our lentil potato stew and adds depth to our vegan marinara — it also works beautifully with any tomato-based dish.

It is rich in a variety of phytonutrients and vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin A and the B-complex vitamins (vitamins A, E and K). Like all herbs, it withers when overcooked, so we recommend adding it to your dish towards the end of cooking to retain its flavor and aroma.

For recipes where thyme doesn’t feature prominently, it can often be replaced with fresh rosemary or sage, which have similar flavors. It can also be swapped for oregano in herb and spice blends, such as Herbes de Provence or za’atar, which are popular in Middle Eastern cooking. It can also be added to garlic bread, brewed into tea and used as a garnish for desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Use Herbs and Spices for Brain Health?

Herbs and spices have been used for centuries to improve brain health. Research shows that these natural remedies may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's. Some herbs may even boost memory.

However, no scientific evidence proves that eating an herb-rich diet can keep your mind sharp. When it comes to improving cognitive function, there are more effective ways to do it.

One study found that older adults who took 1000 mg of vitamin B6 daily had fewer mental lapses than those taking placebo pills. Another study showed that drinking coffee could increase blood flow to the brain. Other studies suggest that exercise, socialization, and sleep improve brain health.

The bottom line is that herbs and spices probably won't make much difference to your overall health. But they might give you extra energy and focus, which can come in handy during the day.

What herbs should you take daily?

Depending on your health and wellness needs, many herbs can be taken daily to help improve your overall health.

Popular herbs for daily consumption include ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and cayenne pepper. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body resist stress and anxiety. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger has been shown to aid digestion and boost immunity. Holy basil may help with managing blood sugar levels, as well as providing a calming effect. Chamomile can promote relaxation, while lavender is used in aromatherapy for its calming properties. Peppermint can help aid digestion and reduce nausea, while cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties that may boost your immunity.

As always, you must consult your doctor before taking herbs daily to ensure they are safe for you and do not interact with any other medications or herbs you may be taking.

There is no shortage of information on what foods we should eat and how much exercise we should do. But when it comes to what supplements we should take, there is a dearth of knowledge.

This is because most of us aren’t sure which ones work or which are junk. So we go online and look up whatever we can find.

But often, these articles are written by companies trying to promote their products. Which means they're usually biased toward their product.

So instead of finding unbiased advice, we end up reading marketing hype.

This makes sense since marketers make more money selling stuff than doctors.

The medical industry isn’t even allowed to advertise directly to consumers anymore. The best way to learn about natural remedies is to read independent reviews.

This is where you'll find real users sharing their experiences with each supplement. These sites give you an honest opinion of whether or not a particular herb helps.

Users will often share their experience with a supplement after taking it. This gives you a good idea of its effectiveness and any side effects.

You can also check out forums dedicated to herbalism. Here you can ask questions and receive answers based on personal experience.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to learn about herbs.

There are books, websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, and classes. All of them provide valuable information about natural remedies.

What is the difference between basil and oregano?

Both of these herbs belong to the Lamiaceae family. They share similar flavors, but the differences are obvious.

Oregano is more pungent than basil. It also adds an extra layer of flavor to foods.

Basil leaves are smaller than oregano leaves. They are also softer and less aromatic.

The two herbs are often used interchangeably. Although they are quite similar, each has its distinctive qualities.

Which spices from the kitchen are used to cure diseases?

There are more than 4000 medicinal plants that are widely distributed throughout the world. Some of these plants contain active compounds that may help treat various ailments.

In India alone, there are more than 1000 species of herbs that are used for medical purposes. This includes Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Siddha medicine, Homeopathic medicine, and Chinese medicine.

The most common ingredient found in these medicines is ginger. Ginger contains volatile oils that give it its aromatic flavor. These oils contain anti-inflammatory properties that make them useful against arthritis, fever, vomiting, and indigestion.

Ginger also helps relieve nausea and stomach cramps caused due to pregnancy. Pregnant women often consume ginger tea to reduce morning sickness. Ginger is also commonly used for cough and cold relief.

Another spice that is known to have medicinal value is turmeric. Turmeric contains curcumin which has been shown to inhibit tumor growth. This makes it an effective cancer treatment.

Turmeric is also considered to be very beneficial for joint health. It relieves inflammation and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also believed to prevent osteoporosis.

Garlic, too, is another herb that is extensively used in traditional medicine. Its healing qualities include treating infections, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes and even reducing cholesterol levels. Garlic oil is also used to treat wounds and insect bites.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic that fights bacteria and viruses. The antibacterial property makes it ideal for treating respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

It is also helpful in preventing urinary tract infections.

Other spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, cayenne, mustard seeds, fennel, and coriander are also used to treat different illnesses.

Statistics

• Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.
• For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15% (72Trusted Source73Trusted (healthline.com)

External Links

[TAG53]

• Ashwagandha | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


• Grape Seed | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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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

[TAG59]

• Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices - PubMed


• Use of echinacea in medicine - PubMed

[TAG62]

• Bouquet garni - Wikipedia

How To

How to Use Herbs and Spices in Cooking?

Herbs and spices are a great way to add flavor without adding calories. If you've been cooking for years, you already know how easy it is to make even bland foods taste delicious. Try these tips to add more flair to your dishes.

Herbs and spices are essential ingredients in any kitchen. In addition to making food taste better, they also help keep food fresh longer. From enhancing the flavors of soups and sauces to infusing drinks with exotic tastes, herbs and spices go far beyond traditional cooking.

The most important thing to remember when using herbs and spices is to use them sparingly. Even though they may seem like powerful ingredients, they have a strong scent. So, sprinkle them on top instead of piling them onto a dish.

You'll find that the best herbs and spices come in small containers. This makes them easier to measure out, so there won't be any waste. Plus, you'll save money because you won't have to buy large amounts.

Another tip is to avoid placing herbs and spices directly on hot pans. Heat will quickly dry out the herbs and spices, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Instead, place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

Use herbs and spices liberally in recipes where they naturally complement each other. For example, cinnamon pairs well with apples, while garlic complements tomatoes. Once you learn how to combine flavors, you'll be able to create your signature dishes.

Try experimenting with different herbs and spices to spice up meals. For instance, mix thyme, rosemary, oregano, and basil in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then toss the mixture with pasta, chicken, or fish.

After the meal, store leftover herbs and spices in airtight jars. This will prevent them from drying out. Also, wrap unused herbs and spices tightly in plastic wrap. They should stay fresh for at least three months.

If you're looking for ways to improve your diet, consider trying new herbs and spices. You can experiment with different blends until you discover your favorite combination. The possibilities are endless!

Resources:

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