Know Your Herbs
Using fresh herbs in your cooking is not only flavorful, but can also be good for your health as well. You can grow your own small, windowsill herb garden, and add fresh flavor to all your meals. Knowing what herbs go with what types of food can be the toughest part, so we have made it a little easier by explaining a little bit about some commonly used herbs in cooking.
Basil
In ancient times, basil was known as the herb of the kings. The Romans and the Greeks believed that to plant a successful crop of basil, one had to yell and curse during the planting. It is considered to be a member of the family of mints. It has long been used for medicinal purposes in order to aid in digestive problems. Basil can blend well with other flavorings and spices such as oregano, garlic and most especially thyme.
Garlic
Along with shallots, chives, onions and leeks, garlic is considered to be a member of the lily family. Garlic has a history of being used for medicinal purposes as well as for adding zest and flavor to cooking. Garlic is so useful for so many things. It is said that there is a chemical allicin that gives garlic its distinctive smell, as well as destroying yeast, fungus and bacteria.
Saffron
In days long past, saffron was valued as a dye as well as for medicinal purposes. These days, saffron is used mainly for coloring and adding flavor to foods. Saffron comes in threads which need to be toasted in order to remove any moisture so they can be crushed or ground in order to use. It is believed to have been cultivated in antiquity, but as so many other plants, its origins have been lost to history.
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