Cooking with Herbs: Recipes, Tutorials, and Tips for Adding Flavor to Your Food

Herbs are a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be used to enhance the taste of many dishes. From savory to sweet, herbs can add depth, complexity, and freshness to your cooking and baking. In this blog, we will provide information on recipes, tutorials, and tips for using herbs in the kitchen, so you can incorporate them into your cooking and baking routine with ease.

Getting Started with Herbs

If you're new to cooking with herbs, it can be helpful to start with a few basic herbs that are commonly used in many dishes. Here are some popular herbs to get you started:

1. Basil: Sweet, fragrant basil is a staple in Italian cuisine, and is often used to flavor pasta sauces, pizzas, and salads.

2. Rosemary: Rosemary has a robust, earthy flavor that pairs well with roasted meats, potatoes, and breads.

3. Thyme: Thyme has a delicate, woodsy flavor that is commonly used in soups, stews, and marinades.

4. Sage: Sage has a warm, savory flavor that is perfect for stuffing, roasted meats, and sauces.

Once you have a few herbs on hand, it's time to start cooking! Here are some tips for using herbs in your cooking and baking:

1. Chop fresh herbs just before using to preserve their flavor and aroma.

2. Use dried herbs sparingly, as they tend to be more potent than fresh herbs.

3. Experiment with combining different herbs to create new flavor combinations.

Here are examples of different combinations:

1. Ginger and turmeric: This combination is commonly used in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine, such as in curries and spice blends.

2. Sage and juniper: This combination is perfect for flavoring meats, such as venison and pork, as well as for making sauces and marinades.

3. Mint and cumin: This combination is often used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, such as in tabbouleh and mint pesto.

4. Basil and lemon verbena: This combination is perfect for adding flavor to salads, sauces, and marinades.

5. Thyme and lavender: This combination is often used in French cuisine, such as in bouquet garni and in baking, such as in scones and shortbreads.

6. Basil and mint: This combination is a classic and is often used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, such as tabbouleh salad and mint pesto.

7. Rosemary and thyme: This combination is perfect for roasting meats, such as chicken and pork, as well as for flavoring sauces and stews.

8. Sage and lemon: This combination is perfect for adding flavor to roasted chicken, grilled fish, and pasta dishes.

9. Basil and garlic: This combination is commonly used in Italian cuisine, such as in basil pesto and tomato sauces.

10. Thyme and bay leaves: This combination is often used in French cuisine, such as in bouquet garni and coq au vin.

11. Rosemary and honey: This combination is perfect for glazing roasted vegetables and meats, as well as for baking sweets, such as cookies and cakes.

Herb-Infused Recipes

Here are some delicious recipes that feature herbs as the star ingredient:

1. Herb-Roasted Chicken: This simple and flavorful dish features a whole chicken that is rubbed with a mixture of herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage, before roasting to perfection.

2. Basil Pesto Pasta: This classic Italian dish features a creamy pesto sauce made with basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil, tossed with spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

3. Rosemary Garlic Bread: This easy-to-make bread features a delicious mixture of rosemary and garlic, toasted to perfection for a delicious side dish.

4. Thyme and Lemon Roasted Vegetables: This tasty side dish features a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and squash, that are tossed with lemon and thyme before roasting to perfection.

Baking with Herbs

Herbs can also be used in baking to add flavor and aroma to sweet treats. Here are some tips for using herbs in baking:

1. Use dried herbs in baking, as they will provide a more consistent flavor.

2. Pair herbs with complementary flavors, such as lavender with honey or rosemary with lemon.

3. Start with a small amount of herbs, and adjust to taste.

Herb-Infused Baking Recipes

Here are some delicious baking recipes that feature herbs:

1. Lavender Shortbread Cookies: These buttery cookies are infused with the delicate flavor of lavender and are perfect for a sweet afternoon treat.

2. Rosemary and Lemon Pound Cake: This classic pound cake is infused with the bold flavor of rosemary and the bright taste of lemon for a delicious dessert.

3. Sage and Browned Butter Skillet Cornbread: This savory cornbread features the warm flavor of sage and the nuttiness of browned butter for a delicious side dish.