At my cookery demos, I love to give people tips and advise around various aspects of food.
Last week, one customer told me she loved the advise I gave on prolonging the life of your herbs so I thought I would share my tips with you!
I remember as a chef in Ballymaloe,
at 6pm, before dinner service, we would go into the herb garden and select all the beautiful, aromatic herbs for garnish for dinner service, then we would come back in and sit down for staff dinner. I often wish I still had access to that fabulous herb garden!
I amn't one for gardening, I never seem to get the time. I read somewhere recently that it can be hugely beneficial for your mental health to spend 15 mins per day gardening. The connection with the earth, the clean air, the sense of satisfaction and the beauty and appreciation of life and growth all help to switch our minds from the busy, technology based lives so many of us live. Below are the hassle free herbs I grow and what I use them for in the kitchen.
I am sure a horticulturist would give you an extensive list and great advise on how to look after and feed the herbs but here is my practical experience from someone who prefers to spend her time in the kitchen rather than gardening but appreciates fresh herbs at her fingertips.
1. Bay tree/ shrub
. The leaves are fantastic for stocks and stews. It grows all year round and needs little or no minding!
2. Mint
- Be sure to plant it in a pot, in the ground, rather than straight into the ground as otherwise it will take over. I use this for making mint sauce for lamb, adding to a Mojito or to freshen up a cup of green tea. It is often my herb of choice in my well known Quinoa salad. This tends to die off in Winter but comes back in Spring.
3. Chives
- They grow most of the year and once you cut them back they grow again the next season. They have lovely purple edible flowers in summer. They are great chopped up in a salad and the flowers work as a great garnish! I don't do much to look after them at all!
4. Rosemary
- Rosemary is hardy and grows all year round. I put it in marinades, stocks ad roast potatoes. I stick stem pieces into a leg of lamb along with garlic to flavour it. I do nothing to the rosemary, I just let it grow. Have you noticed how rosemary was used in the creation of my logo?
So if I don't have herbs growing in the garden, where do I get them from and how do I store them?
a. Thyme
- I often buy a pot of thyme and have it on the windowsill for a week or two. It is great in stocks and stews and is really nice with mushrooms. I have had minimal success with re planting the pot in the garden!
b. Parsley
- Similar to thyme, I buy it in a pot if I know I need a little over a few days. However, if I need lots, eg if making gremolata or eggs mememen or salsa verde I buy a large bag in a vegetable shop. See tips below re keeping small bags fresh.
c. Basil
- I love basil, great for pesto but it is tricky to grow in Ireland. You really need a sunny greenhouse! I usually buy in bags as I need it, small bags from supermarkets if I only need a little but large bags from a Veggie shop if I want more. It is better to tear or cut basil with a scissors rather than chopping as it bruises easily.
d. Coriander
- I find people either love or hate coriander! I use it in lots of marinades and to flavour lots of dishes, like my turkey burgers, thai curries etc. Similar to basil it doesn't.
Storing herbs.
If I buy herbs in a bag, I open the bag, wrap the herbs in some kitchen paper, soaked in cold water and put it back in the bag again and store in the fridge. I find this helps to keep the herbs fresher for longer. Refresh the water on the herbs every second day.
If you have excess herbs, you can
1. Put into a stock/bone broth
2. Chop and add to an omelette for breakfast, sprinkle over salad etc.
3. Chop and freeze in ice cube tray in a little water or olive oil, ready to stir fry!
4. Freeze them (together with veggie peelings and onion tops) for stock
5. make a herb butter to add to grilled fish
6. Tie a bunch and hang to dry, as I don't grow much I haven't tried this method myself.
I hope you enjoyed my tips. Please drop me an email if there is an area you would like me to write about.
