Herbs contribute to the enjoyment of food by their addition of scent, flavour and colour, resulting in food that has individual style and taste. |
My new cyber herb patch reveals
how herbs have been used in the past, how they can be used in the kitchen,
and how they can be used in lotions and potions! Use the links below to
discover the possibilities. I'll be adding more information as often as
I can.
Herbs can be used and enjoyed in both fresh and dried forms. Fresh herbs lose their flavour quickly, so they need to be used as soon as they are picked, and should never be subjected to prolonged cooking. When gathered for drying, herbs should be picked as they are coming into flower, as this is the time when the nutrients and aromatic oils in the plant's leaves are at their strongest. Dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh herbs, and need to be used more sparingly. As a general guide, 4 teaspoons of fresh herbs is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of dried herbs. Fresh herbs can be kept in the refrigerator for a short period of time, and dried herbs can be kept for 6 to 9 months in air-tight containers stored away from the light. |