It’s ultimately one of my favorite times of the year because my Herb Garden is thriving and as a result I get to not only cook with fresh herbs but can add mint, lemon balm, basil (the list goes on…) to make the freshest drinks and delectable sauces like pesto and chimichurri as well as add favor to basically everything!
Herbs are relatively easy to grow too…you don’t have to have a green thumb. Most want at least 6 hours of direct sun & regular water & especially when hot/dry….that’s about it.
Let’s face it…Fresh Herbs are expensive in the grocery store and for a small investment you can have an almost endless supply by growing your own. I get my herbs every year from a local place in Columbus, OH called The Seasoned Farmhouse, https://www.theseasonedfarmhouse.com/.
For anyone in Cbus…you must visit! They provide cooking classes, a variety of events throughout the year and Fresh Herbs every year! The Yogurt Herb Sauce recipe below is theirs as well!
Here are just a few ideas of what you can do w/ Fresh Herbs:
- Freshly Squeezed Lemonade infused w/ Mint
- Iced Tea infused w/ Mint or Lemon Balm
- Basil Pesto to use as a pasta sauce or to accompany grilled meats & veggies
- Chimichurri for grilled meats & veggies
- Yogurt Herb Sauce which is great on grilled chicken, veggies & basmati rice
The list is endless….the bottom line is that fresh herbs add flavor and contain anti-inflammatories (inflammation is the #1 cause of disease!), vitamins, fiber and antioxidant properties as well helping with digestion, mood and sleep. The fact that they add flavor means you eat healthier because food tastes better and as such you are less likely to use unhealthy cooking techniques like frying to add flavor.
Here I will share a few of my favorite recipes using fresh herbs. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade w/ Mint Simple Syrup
BENEFITS: Lemons–contain Vitamin C, soluble fiber & plant compounds that provide many health benefits. Mint–aids digestion, contains multiple antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, known to help with headaches, nausea, oral hygiene & more.
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (6-12 lemons depending on how juicy they are)
- 6 cups water room temperature
- Mint-infused Simple Syrup: boil 1 cup water & 3/4 cup Agave Syrup (if using sugar, 1 cup; I prefer Agave as it not processed and b/c it it super sweet you use less–I think it’s healthier!)–boil until sugar has melted or syrup is fully incorporated–turn off the heat & thrown in a handful of fresh mint (allow to steep for 30 minutes)–then run thru a sieve throwing out the mint & placing the syrup into a sealed jar–this can be used for cocktails, mocktails, on fresh fruit….
**Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice & 6 cups of water in a large pitcher. Sweeten to taste with syrup & garnish w/ mint. You can also do this w/ Thyme & add a fresh thyme sprig. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving. OR make a Lemon Balm (another nutritious flavorful herb) Simple Syrup & use it will Iced Tea….Delicious! & Nutritious!
Fresh Basil Pesto
BENEFITS: Basil–contains Zinc & Vitamin C which fights infection, has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial & anti-microbial properties, and contains compounds that may prevent certain types of cancer.
2-3 cups fresh basil leaves (trimming your basil will actually encourage it to grow more…it it has flowered it is too late & the basil will taste bitter)
3/4 cup EVOO
1/2 cup Pine Nuts or Walnuts (the walnuts give it a slightly stronger taste–I prefer Pine Nuts but in a pinch will use walnuts if it’s what I have)
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
**Combine all the ingredients in a Food Processor. I like mine slightly chunky/not fully blended. You may need to add more EVOO as needed. This is great over pasta, as a spread on sandwiches, or with grilled meats & veggies.
Yogurt Herb Sauce
BENEFITS: Parsley–contains vitamins B, C & K as well as many anti-oxidants and fiber, Chives–contains vitamins C, B1, B2, B3 and K as well as loads of fiber (all herbs have healthful benefits–so use whatever you have on hand!)
**This is packed w/ FLAVOR!! It is great w/ grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, veggies & rice. I love to serve this w/ warm naan bread along w/ grilled chicken, roasted potatoes & rice!
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1-2 garlic cloves (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup mixed herbs (parsley, basil, chives, mint, etc)
- salt to taste
Combine all ingredients in a food processor until well blended–taste & adjust salt and flavoring as needed. Bon Appetite!
In summary, you owe it to yourself & your family to implement herbs into your cooking…b/c it not only adds flavor but has too many nutritional elements to ignore. Last but not least it gives that healthy dose of “food porn” as it looks So Good!!
A Great Resource for recipes using Fresh Herbs is Half-Baked Harvest! https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/ I love all her recipes!!
What recipe(s) do you love that incorporates Fresh Herbs??
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