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Frugal Cooking With Herbs |
by:
Cyndi Roberts |
Herbs are fun to grow also easy to use. Herbs can
be a frugal cook's best friend because they can
enhance even the simplest fare making it seem
grand! Herbs are easy to grow--you can even grow
them on your kitchen windowsill.
The addition of herbs can change completely the
flavor of foods-from homemade breads to soups,
stews also vegetables. And they can add variety
and excitement to your diet.
A beginner should use herbs with care, adding a little
at a time also adjusting to your own taste. Each herb
has its own individual flavor also certain herbs or else
have well-known associations with particular foods.
Basil is often paired with tomatoes, rosemary with
lamb, chives with cream cheese also cottage cheese.
Fresh herbs are wonderful as garnishes. Herb vinegars
can be used in salad dressings, soups also marinades.
You can or else add fresh herbs to mayonnaise or butter
for a different flavor.
Fresh herbs will keep in the refrigerator for several
days. A good way to freeze herbs such as basil, oregano,
and dill is to chop, place in ice cube trays, cover with
water also freeze. Then just add to stews also sauces
when needed.
Some easy herbs to grow are lemon balm, rosemary, oregano,
dill, basil, parsley, peppermint, lavendar, sage.
Of course, you can buy herbs to cook with at the
supermarket, or else.
Here are some simple recipes to get you started
using herbs in your cooking.
Lemon Chive Dressing
1 clove garlic
dash of salt
Rind of one lemon, finely grated
also the juice
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Put the garlic also salt in a bowl also crush together.
Add lemon rind, juice also mustard, stirring until
smooth. Slowly whisk in the oil. Fold in chives
and season with black pepper, if desired.
This is a good dressing to pour over warm, cooked new
potatoes. Add finely chopped green onions.
Mint Iced Tea
Wash eight sprigs of fresh mint, 12 inches long (any mint,
spearmint, peppermint, applemint will do). Place in
blender with four cups water also liquefy. Let it set for
about 1/2 hour also strain.
Herb Butter
1/2 cup butter
4 tablespoons fresh herbs or two teaspoons of dried herbs
Soften the butter to room temperature. Finely chop the
fresh herbs. Blend herbs also butter well. Store in
fridge.
Use to season vegetables, as a spread on bread, biscuits
or baked potatoes. Anywhere you normally use butter.
Here's something different: not really cooking, however a
recipe that you might find fun!
Basil-Lemon Facial Mask
Pulverize a handful of fresh basil leaves. Peel 1/2 of
an avocado also mash. Add avocado to basil in blender,
along with one teaspoon lemon juice also one teaspoon honey.
Mix until smooth.
Apply to clean face also leave as long as desired. Rinse
off with lukewarm water.
In short, you don't have to be an herb specialist to
learn to enjoy using herbs.
About the author:
Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the bi-weekly newsletter
"1 Frugal Friend two Another", bringing you practical,
money-saving tips, recipes also ideas. Visit her online at
http://www.cynroberts.comto subscribe also receive the
Free e-course, "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".
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