LAURELTON GARDENS
504 PITTSYLVANIA AVE.
ALTAVISTA, VA. 24517
434-369-7242

HERBS

Source: FDA Consumer, Department of Health & Human Services, 1986

What Goes With What :
Soups: bay, chervil, French tarragon, marjoram, parsley, savory, rosemary
Poultry: garlic, oregano, rosemary, savory, sage
Beef: bay, chives, cloves, cumin, garlic, hot pepper, marjoram, rosemary, savory
Lamb: garlic, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, thyme (make little slits in lamb to be roaster and insert herbs)
Pork: coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, hot pepper, pepper sage, savory, thyme
Cheese: basil, chervil, chives, curry, dill, fennel, garlic chives, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme
Fish: chervil, dill, fennel, French tarragon, garlic, parsley, thyme
Fruit: anise, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, ginger, lemon verbena, mint, rose geranium, sweet cicely
Bread: caraway, marjoram, oregano, poppy seed, rosemary, thyme
Vegetables: basil, burnet, chervil, chives, dill, French tarragon, marjoram, mint, parsley, pepper, thyme
Salads: basil, borage, burnet, chives, french tarragon, garlic chives, parsley, rocket-salad, sorrel (these are best used fresh or added to salad dressing. Otherwise, use herb vinegars for extra flavor)


HERB BLENDS TO REPLACE SALT:
SALTLESS SURPRISE: 2 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp each of basil, oregano, and powdered lemon rind . Put ingredients into a blender and mix well. Store in glass container, label well, and add rice to prevent caking.
PUNGENT SALT SUBSTITUTE: 3 tsp each of basil, 2 tsp each of savory, celery seed, ground cumin seed, sage and marjoram, and 1 tsp lemon thyme. Mix well, then powder with a mortar and pestle.
SPICY SALTLESS SEASONING: 1tsp each of cloves, pepper, and coriander seed (crushed), 2 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp rosemary. Mix ingredients in a blender. Store in airtight container.


STRENGTH OF HERBS:
Strong or Dominant flavors: These should be used with care since their flavors stand out-approximately one tsp for six servings. They include bay, cardamom, curry, ginger, hot peppers, mustard, pepper,(black) rosemary, and sage.
Medium flavors: Amoderate amount of tese is recommended-one to two tsp for six servings. They are basil, celery seed and leaves, cumin, dill, fennel, French tarragon, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, savory (winter and summer), thyme, and turmeric.
Delicate flavors: These may be used in large quantities and combine well with most other herbs and spices. This group includes burnet, chervil, chives and parsley.


HERB BLENDS:
Herbs can be combined for specific foods. Having the combination on hand will speed cooking and enhance one's reputation as a gourmet. They can be added loosely or wrapped in cheesecloth and removed before serving.
Egg Herbs: basil, dill weed (leaves), garlic, parsley
Fish herbs: basil, bay leaf crumbled, French tarragon, lemon thyme, parsley (options: fennel, sage, savory)
Poultry herbs: lovage, marjoram (two parts),sage (3 parts)
Salad herbs: basil, lovage, parsley, French tarragon
Tomato sauce herbs: basil (two parts), bay leaf, marjoram, oregano, parsley (options: celery leaves, cloves)
Vegetable herbs: basil, parsley, savory
Italian blend: basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme
Barbecue blend: cumin, garlic, hot pepper, oregano


MINT SYRUP
Spread this over fresh fruit or ice cream or use as basis for a refreshing summer drink.
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup water
1 cup of sugar
Combine above in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until thickened ( about 5 minutes). Strain if desired.