Herbs, Herbs & More Herbs…
Herbs not only enhance the foods that we eat, but throughout history have also played an important role in romance, religion, health and superstition. The taste and health benefits that herbs give to food make them valuable in our homes and kitchens.
If you plan on growing your own herb garden, what you plant in your garden should be dependent on what your primary use of the herbs is going to be. Consider the following as a guideline, but customize your garden based on your own needs and preferences.
Herbs for Cooking, Healing & Growing
Herbs for Cooking |
Herbs for Healing |
Aromatic Herb Garden |
|---|---|---|
Parsley |
Lavender |
Rosemary |
Thyme |
Fennel |
Thyme |
Sage |
Vervain |
Lavender |
Marjoram |
Rosemary |
Mint |
Chives |
St. John’s Wort |
Chamomile |
Lemon Balm |
Cowslip |
Marjoram |
Mint |
Thyme |
Anise |
Coriander |
Bergamot |
Sweet Basil |
Bay Leaf |
Nettle |
Oregano |
Tarragon |
Lemon Balm |
Sage |
Chervil |
Sage |
Tarragon |
Chamomile |
Mint |
|
Oregano |
Garlic |
|
Rosemary |
Ginger |
|
Fennel |
Echinacea |
Herb How To
How to make a Bouquet Garni
Tie together stalks of fresh basil, celery leaves, parsley, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, marjoram, tarragon or any combination thereof. Alternately, place dried herbs into a piece of muslin and tie in a bundle. Drop bouquet garni into your soup, stew or sauce while cooking. Remove before serving.
How to make Fines Herbes
Mix together equal quantities of fresh parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon. Add to omelette, scrambled eggs, or potatoes. Sprinkle over cooked vegetables like carrots, green or yellow beans. Sprinkle over salads for added flavour.
Homemade Herb Vinegar
Fill a jar with a self-tightening lid with your favourite fresh, young, clean, dry herb leaves. Fill jar with a good quality malt vinegar and seal. Shake jar regularly over a three-week period to mix together. After three weeks, strain contents and transfer to a clean jar.
Herb Facts
- A culinary herb uses the leafy part of the plant, unlike spices which can use all other parts of the plant, including seeds, bark, berries or root.
- Bouquet garni (french for “garnished bouquet”) is a bundle of herbs used to prepare soup, stocks or stew.
- Fines herbes, a mainstay of French cuisine, is less pungent than a bouquet garni and is not used for long cooking processes.
- Anise, dill, fennel, caraway, coriander and cumin are members of the carrot family.
- The mint family contains over 3200 species including basil, oregano, sage, rosemary and marjoram.
- Ginger gets its name from the Sanskrit word meaning “horn root”.
Interested in learning more?
Read Chef Rob's May 2007 article:
Herbs – A Cook’s Best Friend