“It is an obvious truth, all too often forgotten, that food is not inseparable from the history of the human race, but basic to it. Without food there would be no human race, and no history.” Reay Tannahill
Herbs have fascinated me for years but only because I use them in cooking. Herbs are known for making food delicious, but they can also make you healthy. Herbs offer a wonderful variety of wonderful flavors. However, this year the beauty of the plants caught my attention as they showered my small flower plot with a rainbow of colorful blooms. Without realizing it I planted herbs among my flowers.
Today, herbs are ingredients in most cosmetics and gourmet foods and especially in the field of medicine. People have been using natural remedies for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of ills ranging from heartburn to heart disease.
Today we are witnessing a renewed interest in the use of herbals. The main reason for our renewed interest in herbalism can be attributed to the new emphasis on preventive medicine.
The trend in our culture is about improving the conditions of our bodies and the state of our minds. Belief in eating right can change our lives and health. It is about waking up refreshed and ready to start the day, enjoying better energy and better work days.
Herbs for dinner! Food is the most basic way to use the delicate flavor of fresh herbs. They enhance the flavor of foods.
Add your flavor creativity. Experience with herbs and spices. Add flavor with basil, chives, cilantro, rosemary, savory, garlic, ginger, caraway, and cumin. You can blend herbs, spices, sun-dried tomatoes and shredded cheese into bread dough before baking.
My father enjoyed the blossoms from the herb plant. Used carefully herbs and spices make food flavorful. Nothing beats the flavor of fresh herbs. Whether you use fresh or dry seasoning use them carefully.
Add a pinch of this and a pinch of that. To release more flavor and aroma, crumble dry leaf herbs — basil, oregano, savory and tarragon between your fingers.
Finely chop fresh herbs. In dishes that take a long cooking time add the herbs toward the end of cooking. That way you get a better taste — the flavor won’t cook out.
Avoid overwhelming a dish with seasonings. A few simple herbs and spices bring out the flavor of food without confusing your taste buds.
The time is ripe to celebrate food for the central role it plays in our lives.
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy an outdoor meal with friends and family.
Here are tips from Stacy Simon of the American Cancer Society for having a healthy summer.
Refreshing salads, melons and berries add color and flavor to picnics and cookouts. But because warmer temperatures can easily spoil food we need to be extra careful.
Wash hands, utensils, containers and work surfaces before handling food to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading.
Cook food the same day as the picnic, not in advance to give bacteria less time to grow.
Wash fruit and vegetables before cutting, in case bacteria are present on the rind or peal.
Throw out leftovers that have been sitting out for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is over 90 degrees.
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