Using fresh herbs when cooking

Herbs flavor and garnish both raw and cooked dishes and the fabulous aroma that the herbs fuse with the dish. Most herbs behave well while cooking, but not all herbs behave in the same way. When I think of using herbs for my dishes, the first set of herbs that comes to mind are parsley, thyme leaves and chives, which are among my very favorites since they give an extra lift to the taste.

Herbs for cooking should enhance not overpower food flavors. Some have a dominant punch and can be used by themselves or in combination with milder ones. Milder herbs can be blended into many delightful flavor combinations.

So here are some tips that would be useful when dealing with the herbs of your favorite.

• The flavour of fragile herbs, such as basil, dill and mint, diminishes when heated, so add them at the end of cooking. By contrast, hearty herbs such as thyme and rosemary benefit from long cooking because their perfumes are allowed to slowly permeate the dish
• The method in which herb is cut also effects its intensity. Grinding herbs in a pestle and mortar or food processor heightens their flavour. Shredding herbs lends a less pungent taste and is best for soft-leaved herbs like basil.
• Delicate herbs may turn black if chopped too long in advance, which is especially true of mint. This is because the fragrant oils evaporate. To retain colour, cut herbs just before use.
• Use a very sharp knife and make sure they are dry as they will lose flavor in the liquid and be harder to chop. I always wash and dry the herbs nicely before I start to chop them. The stalks can always be discarded but I always prefer to save them for the broth pot.

17 Responses to “Using fresh herbs when cooking”

1. 

   Angie's Recipes | June 25, 2010 at 7:11 pm | Reply

   I adore the fresh herbs…mint, parsley, basil, dill…oh, how I love them!
   Wish I know the gardening, then I didn’t have to spend so much money for the fresh herbs. 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary cost 1 euro.

   p.s. Nice to see you back to the blogging world!
   Angie
2. 

   Reeni | June 25, 2010 at 11:32 pm | Reply

   Thank you for all the excellent tips on herbs! I’ve missed you. Hope all is well! xo
3. 

   Faith | June 26, 2010 at 1:34 pm | Reply

   I’m glad to see you’re back, I missed you! I completely agree about fresh herbs, I think they really enhance so many dishes. Thanks for all the great tips!
4. 

   Rosa | June 27, 2010 at 12:34 am | Reply

   GReat tips! I love fresh and dried herbs! An important ingredient when cooking…

   Cheers,

   Rosa
5. 

   lisa | June 27, 2010 at 5:25 am | Reply

   I love using fresh herbs in my cooking. Great tip! It just makes the dish so much more flavorful.

   Hope you are well, Nora!
6. 

   sophia | June 28, 2010 at 3:49 pm | Reply

   Oh these are great tips, Nora! I do tend to overdo on herbs, because I keep trying to get rid of them as soon as possible.
7. 

   Sophie | June 28, 2010 at 4:40 pm | Reply

   I so love using fresh herbs in my cooking & roasting veggies in the oven. I also love using them in marinades for chicke, fish & pork!
   I also grow my own herbs, like sage, lemon thyme, chives, fresh oregano, rosamry,etc!
8. 

   pigpigscorner | June 28, 2010 at 6:32 pm | Reply

   Thanks for the tips! Love using fresh herbs in cooking!
9. 

   Blond Duck | June 28, 2010 at 9:05 pm | Reply

   I hope you had a great weekend!
10. 

    Janet@Gourmet Traveller 88 | July 1, 2010 at 5:00 pm | Reply

    Thanks for the great tips as always : )
11. 

    elra | July 1, 2010 at 9:34 pm | Reply

    I love herb for my cooking, it’s a wonderful way to flavor all kind of dish and some dessert as well. Thank you for the tips Nora, it’s very informative.
12. 

    theUngourmet | July 4, 2010 at 5:31 am | Reply

    there’s nothing like the flavor of fresh herbs! Thanks for the great info! Glad to see you!
13. 

    nora@ffr | July 7, 2010 at 12:32 pm | Reply

    rili appreciate the lovely comments my friends
14. 

    Erica | July 9, 2010 at 11:13 pm | Reply

    Love fresh herbs!!!!! Glad you are back
15. 

    Cynthia | July 16, 2010 at 12:30 am | Reply

    Excellent points, Nora.
16. 

    Rosa | July 16, 2010 at 3:18 pm | Reply

    I hope that you are doing fine.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Cheers,

    Rosa
17. 

    Blond Duck | August 3, 2010 at 5:41 pm | Reply

    You’re back!