Adding herbs is a quick way to change ordinary meals into special meals. Besides adding flavor to foods, great for when you’re trying to cut back on salt, fat and sugar, herbs have health benefits of their own.
Researchers are finding that many herbs have antioxidants that may help protect against such diseases as cancer and heart disease.
Take some “thyme” to cook with fresh herbs. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the flavor and health
benefits of herbs in your cooking.
When Substituting Fresh Herbs for Dried Herbs
When using fresh herbs in a recipe, use 3 times as much as you would use of a dried herb. When substituting, you will be more successful substituting fresh herbs for dried herbs, rather than the other way around.
How to Store and Wash Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs can be stored in an open or a perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator drawer for a few days. If you don’t have access to commercial perforated bags, use a knife or scissors to make several small holes in a regular plastic bag.
Wash herbs when you are ready to use them. Wash herbs thoroughly under running water. Shake off moisture or spin dry in a salad spinner and pat off any remaining moisture with clean paper towels.
How to Prepare Herbs for Cooking
For most recipes, unless otherwise directed, mince herbs into tiny pieces. Chop with a knife on a cutting board or snip with a kitchen scissors. While some recipes call for a sprig or sprigs of herbs, normally the part of the herb you harvest will be the leaves. For herbs with sturdier stems, such as marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme, you can strip off the leaves by running your fingers down the stem from top to bottom. For herbs with tender stems, such as parsley and cilantro, snip the stem in with the leaves.
When to Add Herbs During Food Preparation
Unlike dried herbs, fresh herbs are usually added toward the end in cooked dishes to preserve their flavor. Add the more delicate herbs — basil, chives, cilantro, dill leaves, parsley, marjoram and mint — a minute or two before the end of cooking or sprinkle them on the food before it’s served. The less delicate herbs, such as dill seeds, oregano, rosemary, tarragon and thyme, can be added about the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Herb/Food Combinations
BASIL a natural snipped in with tomatoes, terrific in fresh pesto, other possibilities include pasta sauce, peas, zucchini
CHIVES dips, potatoes, tomatoes
CILANTRO Mexican, Asian and Caribbean cooking; salsas, tomatoes
DILL carrots, cottage cheese, fish, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes
MINT carrots, fruit salads, parsley, peas, tea
OREGANO peppers, tomatoes
PARSLEY parsley is one of those “superfoods” that can be used with a wide variety of foods.
ROSEMARY chicken, fish, lamb, pork, roasted potatoes, soups, stews, tomatoes
SAGE poultry seasoning, stuffings
TARRAGON chicken, eggs, fish
THYME eggs, lima beans, potatoes, poultry, summer squash, tomatoes
Source: Alice Henneman, MS, RD, UNL Extension Educator
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