Herb gardens sure look & smell wonderful, but to someone who doesn’t garden it may seem challenging, not to mention what to do with the herbs once you grow them. Potted herbs are a great way to start without a lot of fuss. Not being much of a gardener myself, I have found a new love for homegrown herbs and discovering ways to enhance my meals and drinks with them. The best part is, you can live in an apartment or condo and still enjoy your own working garden!
Are you new to gardening and/or creating home cooked meals? These herbs don’t take much care at all but sure do pack a lot of flavor! A few basic ones that do well during the spring and summer months are basil, fennel, thyme, mint (spearmint), and my all year round’ herb, Rosemary. They are all easy to grow and do well in the hot summer sun of the South. Here are some tips on how to use them…
Basil – Basil is an antioxidant and contains flavonoids, beneficial in protecting against inflammation and cell damage. It is most effective when eaten fresh, by adding to salads and sandwiches, plus my favorite; pesto! It can also be added to tomato sauce and other cooked foods by adding at the end of the cooking process.
Mint – This tasty herb is so easy to grow and has many vitamins (Vitamin A, C, beta-carotene, & more), plus antioxidants. My favorite is to tear the leaves and put in my green tea when steeping for summer iced tea. You can also use in salads (adding a Mediterranean flavor), mint pesto, and other drinks or dishes where mint would enhance the flavor. **Tip: You will want to plant this one in a pot as it likes to grow wild and spread everywhere! Save yourself the trouble in future years by containing itJ.
Rosemary – This herb thrives in sunshine and dry soil, making it so easy to grow in the south! It can spice up chicken and oven roasted potato recipes among others. As for hidden health benefits; an antioxidant and also has potential to aid in some forms of brain health. Rosemary’s health benefits are just as effective when cooked.
Fennel – This herb has many uses. The seeds can be used in soups and vegetable dishes and has shown benefits in lowering cholesterol (LDL), aiding in digestion, and is a good source of fiber. The fennel bulb tastes wonderful cooked in chicken and shrimp dishes. It has a slight licorice or anisette flavor & is a good compliment to many recipes.
Thyme – This herb smells so wonderful in the garden! It is flavorful and great for marinating poultry and meats and with its antibacterial properties, it has also shown benefits in boosting immune function.
These are just a few of the many uses and healthy benefits of spicing up your summer foods with herbs fresh from your garden. Be sure to grab a piece of Rosemary to smell when you need a little extra focus to get your work done. Yes, it has other benefits besides spicing up your food! I love using my Rosemary essential oil for this too.
When you venture out to your local nursery, look for a couple of herbs that interest you. If you already have herbs, be creative and find a new way to add them to your recipes each week. It makes bringing health into your home all the more interesting and fun!
