Easy Herbs Make Your Meal Wow!
The brutal cold of winter brings about thoughts of spring. Spring is a great time for planting herbs. Yes herbs! Herbs have been around for centuries and are great way to make your meals tastier.
Some people grow their herbs from seed. If that is more than you want to do you can kick-start your spring by buying herbs at a local nursery that has already grown the herbs from seed to young plant. Planting herbs in a small pot for growing in your home during cold early spring days is easy and fun. And --- they are a great source of deliciousness.
Basil, chives, parsley, sage, thyme are five simple herbs you can start early in the growing season in a decorative pot in your home. You’ll find your herbs will get an early jump on the growing season and fill your home with amazing aroma. Once the last frost has passed you’ll be ready to transplant them outdoors. By that time more varieties will be available at the nursery and you can expand your collection of herbs based upon what your taste buds can envision.
“A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.” – Proverbs 15:17
The Bible talks about the importance of being compassionate and caring with others as compared to being in a bad mood. Mealtime isn’t just something we have to do to sustain our physical body it is an activity we can do daily to strengthen our relationships with others. Herbs accentuate both vegetables and meat. So, whether you plan to have a simple and meager meal or a grand feast you’ll find herbs add an incredible WOW factor.
Take a closer look at basil, chives, parsley, sage, and thyme. These are five herbs that to are easy to get started relatively early. The earlier you get started the earlier you can make meals with a wow factor that is off the charts. This year you can start a movement by growing your own herbs.
BASIL / Ocimum basilicum (scientific name)
The history of basil goes back 4,000 years and was being used in Egypt. Basil was considered poisonous, and having transformative abilities. Today, because of its distinctive taste it is used in salads, pizzas, sauces, and other classic Italian dishes.
It is a bushy plant, put it in a sunny area and is quite suitable for containers or garden beds. The leaves can be dried or frozen for up to two years.
CHIVES / Allium schoenoprasum (scientific name)
Chives were used in China nearly 5,000 years ago. It has been cultivated for centuries and was brought to America by the colonists. It was thought they had magical powers by keeping disease and evil away. Chives are used as a garnish on salads, dips, soft cheeses, and baked potatoes.
Chives are very easy to grow and flourish in containers. It has a milder flavor than either onions or garlic. Use it either fresh or dried, and is a good source of vitamin C.
PARSLEY / Petroselinum (scientific name)
Parsley is native to the Mediterranean shores nearly 2,000 years ago, and records from the 15th century show the use of parsley in different varieties. In fact, it has the largest number of varieties among garden herbs. It is used both as a garnish in soups, or mixed in ground meat.
Parsley can be found almost anywhere, it very easy to grow and is perfect for a home garden. Fresh is the best way to use it because of its texture, color, and the burst of fresh flavor.
SAGE / Salvia officinalis (scientific name)
Sage was used for medicinal purposes, food preservation and not until the 17th century was used for food flavoring. It is best used at the beginning of cooking due to its strong flavor. Sage is added to stuffing, and as a meat rub before grilling.
It is a hardy perennial and can stand tough conditions. The plant should have full sun and be replaced every three or four years. Sage can be used from a garden year- round and can be stored fresh in a zip seal bag for up to two weeks in a refrigerator.
THYME / Thymus (scientific name)
Thyme is native to the Mediterranean. The name originates from the Greek word thyro, to sacrifice, because of its use as incense in temples. It is used to flavor many dishes, such as roasted vegetables, soups, sausages, stews, gravies, and sauces.
The seeds are very tiny, and are best planted in the early spring, in nursery beds. It can be used either fresh or dried, generally sprigs of thyme are used in cooking.
“Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.’” – Genesis 1:29
Growing herbs are both fun and simple! Try growing other herbs such as, stevia, dill, and cilantro. The possibilities are endless. You get a chance to see the marvels of God’s creation early in the season in your kitchen and then throughout the summer and autumn in your yard or on your patio.
Getting your family involved can instill a new level of interaction between each other. Don’t just stop there, involve a friend and incorporate herbs into a church fellowship dinner. Herbs can be an easy first step for you and other members of your church to make gardening a fresh expression of church.
You can trade herbs at a farmer’s markets, get involved with local organic farmers, and as you grow your garden you may even be able to supply local restaurants with the herbs you grow. Use your imagination and get planting!
“Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35
From Faith & Fitness Magazine February/March 2018. Reprinted with permission. Copyright © Faith & Fitness Magazine and Lifestyle Media Group. Faith & Fitness Magazine is a lifestyle resource to build physical and spiritual strength. It helps readers make connections between the Christian faith and the fitness lifestyle. To contact the publisher of Faith & Fitness Magazine, Brad Bloom, for reprint permission, e-mail brad@faithandfitness.net.
