Growing fresh herbs can be easy and fulfilling. Fresh herbs can be a quick way to add flavor to your favorite meals. Some of the easy-to-grow herbs are: basil, chives, parsley, cilantro and oregano. Stop by your local Farmer’s Market or nursery to select your plants.
Start with one or two herbs and add to your herb garden each year. In my herb garden I grow lavender, chives, thyme, tarragon, mint, oregano, stevia and basil. Mint leaves add a fresh taste to tea or lemonade but be careful as this plant can quickly spread and be invasive. I use the stevia leaves as a sweetener for my hot tea.
Here are a few tips for cooking with herbs. Remember to select fresh and clean herbs from your garden.
- Harvest herbs in the morning if at all possible.
- 2 Teaspoons fresh herbs = ¼ teaspoon powdered or ¾ to 1 tsp. crumbled herbs.
- Add herbs to soups or stews about 45 minutes before completing the cooking.
- For cold foods such as dips, cheese or dressings, add herbs several hours or overnight before using.
Try this simple recipe using fresh tomatoes, onions and basil.
Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Yield: 12 Servings
Ingredients:
8 tomatoes (ripe, Roma plum, chopped)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 red onion (chopped)
6 fresh basil leaves
2 Tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
1 loaf Bread – (French or Italian cut into 1/2 inch diagonal slices)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil and olive oil in a bowl. Season with salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Set aside.
Arrange bread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake about 5 to 7 minutes until it begins to brown slightly.
Serve the tomato mixture in a bowl with a serving spoon and let everyone help themselves. Or place some on each slice of bread before serving. If adding the tomato mixture yourself, add it at the last minute or the bread may become soggy.
Healthy Tip: Try to find bread with whole grains or made with whole wheat flour.
Cost Per Recipe: $3.39 Per Serving: $0.28
Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 piece
Calories: 80 Calories
Total Fat: 3 g
Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
Protein: 2 g
Recipe Source: University of Nebraska, Cooperative Extension, Healthy Eating Recipes
Explore growing and tasting a few herbs this summer. You will find it is rewarding, tasty and fun!
