How To Add Flavor to Your Meals With Fresh Herbs

Herbs, Spices and Seeds

Even for dieters, food should be satisfying and tasty; it should never be dull and boring. The article also indicates in which dishes they can be used.

Most herbs are derived from the leaves of plants grown in a temperate climate. Spices are derived from specific parts such as stamens, barks and shells of plants grown in tropical countries.

Wherever it is possible, try to use fresh herbs, which you can chop up just before adding to the pan. You should also crush whole spices and seeds just before use. Use two to three times the amount of fresh herbs to their dried counterparts. Dried herbs and spices lose their flavor after a while, so they should be kept in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. It is also advisable to buy them in small quantities.

Star Ratings

I have rated the various herbs, spices and seeds by stars as following:

*** means that they can definitely be used in a particular dish and the taste should be universally liked.

** means that the combination of both the herbs and the dish will probably be good and appealing.

* means that the combination is worth experimenting with.

· Allspice is a spice which goes great with meat, and game. It can be given ** for fruits and one * for sauces and soups.

· Basil is a herb which can be given *** for vegetables and pestos, and ** for meat, eggs and cheese.

· Cinnamon is a spice which gets *** for meat and fruit, and one * for cheese.

· Celery salt and seed is an all-out *** for fish, eggs, salads and stuffing.

· Cumin seed gets ** for meat and poultry

· Dill gets *** for fish, especially salmon;*** for stuffing, and ** for poultry salads and vegetables.

· Garlic is another all-out *** herb for meat, poultry, game, salads, sauces and soups and marinades.

· Mint is a herb which gets *** for meat and * for fish. It earns ** for vegetables, fruits and sauces.

· Mustard seed gets *** for meat and game and ** for marinades.

· Nutmeg is a spice which earns ** for meat game, offal and eggs

· Oregano is a herb, which earns *** for meat, poultry, game and ** for cheeses, salads and marinades.

· Paprika is a *** spice for meat, poultry and offal and a ** for eggs.

· Parsley is an all-out *** herb meat, poultry, game and fish, a ** for salads and vegetables and a * for eggs.

· Rosemary is a ** herb for meat and game, and a * for poultry, fish and vegetables.

· Thyme is a *** herb for game and fish and a ** for meat, poultry and offal.

Many Other Uses

There are many other herbs which you can add to your culinary collection. The star rating given here is simply a guide to the best uses of the herb spice or seed, but you can experiment with them all. They can also be used in desserts, vinegars, butters, jellies, syrups, drinks and teas and much more. To experiment with a herb, taste just a bit to sample the flavor, and then you can consider how you can use it in various dishes.

Here is a vinaigrette recipe taken from an issue of Prevention magazine dated August 1999:

Better Vinaigrette

Pour 1 bottle of low-fat vinaigrette dressing into a blender. Add fresh oregano or thyme leaves. Blend for no more than 20 seconds. Transfer back to the bottle. Refrigerate. Use within 2 weeks.