Fresh Herbs 101

Cooking with fresh herbs can add a lot of flavor and aroma to your dishes, as well as some health benefits. Here are some tips on how to use fresh herbs in your cooking:

- Choose herbs that are fresh and vibrant, not wilted or brown. You can grow your own herbs in pots or in a garden, or buy them from a farmers' market or a grocery store. Store them in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel in the refrigerator, or in a glass of water on the counter.

- Wash and dry the herbs before using them. You can use a salad spinner, a paper towel, or a clean cloth to gently pat them dry. Avoid bruising or crushing the leaves, as this can release their oils and make them lose their flavor.

- Chop or tear the herbs according to your recipe. Some herbs, like parsley, cilantro, and basil, are best chopped finely with a sharp knife. Others, like mint, sage, and oregano, are better torn by hand to preserve their texture and flavor. You can also use herb scissors or a food processor to chop the herbs quickly and evenly.

- Add the herbs at the right time in your cooking. Generally, delicate herbs, like basil, dill, cilantro, and mint, should be added at the end of cooking or as a garnish, as they lose their flavor when cooked for too long. Hardy herbs, like rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano, can withstand longer cooking times and are best added at the beginning or during cooking to infuse their flavor into the dish.

- Experiment with different combinations and quantities of herbs. You can follow recipes or create your own blends based on your taste preferences. Some classic herb combinations are: Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary), herbes de Provence (thyme, rosemary, lavender, marjoram), bouquet garni (parsley, thyme, bay leaf), and za'atar (thyme, sesame seeds, sumac). You can also use single herbs to highlight their unique flavor, such as mint in salads or desserts, cilantro in salsa or curry, or basil in pesto or tomato sauce.

- Enjoy the benefits of fresh herbs. Not only do they make your food taste better, but they also have some nutritional and medicinal properties. For example, parsley is rich in vitamin C and iron, mint can aid digestion and freshen breath, rosemary can boost memory and concentration, and basil can reduce inflammation and stress. Fresh herbs can also help you reduce your salt intake by adding natural flavor to your dishes.

Cooking with fresh herbs is a simple and fun way to enhance your culinary skills and enjoy your food more. Try adding some fresh herbs to your next meal and see the difference they make!