Sharing my favorite fresh herbs to use in the kitchen, recipe ideas and ways to save fresh herbs, as part of the mediterranean diet.
Adding Flavor with Fresh Herbs
It still amazes me sometimes how just a handful of fresh herbs can really change the flavor of a dish.
Toss a tablespoon of fresh chives on scrambled eggs and you’ve got yourself a whole new dish! Pasta without chopped parsley just isn’t really the same. Fresh basil added to a salad brings a whole new dimension.
Fresh herbs are a staple in the Mediterranean Diet, as they often add a lot of flavor in place of excess salt or heavy creams/butters. Relatively simple dishes become extraordinary with the right herbs and spices.
My Favorite Herbs
I started an herb garden this year and really tried to focus on including my favorite herbs, as well as trying to keep them alive (not exactly my forte).
Sharing some of my favorite herbs to grow, as well as ways I tend to use them.
Basil
By far one of my favorite and most used herbs. I planted 3 separate basil plants this year because I was determined to grow as much as I could.
How I typically use basil –
- in salads to add a burst of fresh flavor, especially this Greek Salad
- in fruit water, blueberry basil is my current favorite flavor combo
- to make pesto for pasta, chicken and fish
Chives
I love the peppery/onion flavor that chives can often give a dish. Not to mention the fact that you can easily cut them with scissors and they add a great hint of color to almost any dish.
My favorite way to use chives is on top of baked potatoes or tossed in with scrambled eggs.
Rosemary
I have a soft spot in my heart for rosemary because it is the only herb in my garden last year that didn’t die on me.
Rosemary is so earthy and hearty, the fragrance to me always makes me think of winter and cozy bowls of soup.
My favorite ways to use rosemary –
- in marinades for steak and chicken
- in soups
- with grilled lamb
- on oven roasted potatoes
Dill
I put dill on almost everything. It goes so well with a number of things and is an easy way to jazz up dishes. I especially love pairing it with lemon and garlic for a winning combination.
My favorite ways to use dill –
- with fish, especially salmon
- added to pasta, with lots of garlic and lemon
- mixed in with greek yogurt for a quick and flavorful dip for veggies
Tips for Saving Fresh Herbs
It can be frustrating sometimes to buy fresh herbs because you often can’t use them fast enough before they start to wilt.
I’m sharing my 3 favorite ways to save fresh herbs –
- Chop the herbs up and add to an ice cube tray, fill each section of the ice cube tray with olive oil and place in the freezer. Later on, you can use the frozen herbs & oils for sautéing veggies, adding to dishes like chicken/fish/steak, etc.
- Making herb compound butter as previously seen in this Herb Butter Post
- Making pesto or marinades and freezing for later use
