Thursday, May 20, 2010

Cooking With Fresh Herbs - Healthy Cooking With Fresh Herbs

If you are one of those people who like to experiment in the kitchen or just love to experience culinary cooking, then you will really enjoy healthy cooking with fresh herbs. When it comes to cooking, nothing can compare with using only the freshest ingredients like herbs.
Fresh herbs are definitely more flavorful, aromatic, and healthy. They can surely provide you the right flavor and aroma you want for your food preparation. If you have an herb garden at home, cooking with herbs is a real delight for you and your family. You can use herbs in poultry stuffing, baking cookies or bread, pasta sauces, tea, and even as a garnish to your menus. They give off a very appealing scent that can tickle the taste buds and want you to ask for more.
Healthy cooking with fresh herbs is very easy, practical, and convenient especially if you grow your own herbs at home. At least, you are assured of the kind of herbs you use in your cooking, especially their cleanliness and purity.
Now if you want to start healthy cooking with fresh herbs, here are some important tips you should keep in mind:
o Choosing the best herbs for cooking
When is the best time to cut those herbs for cooking? Now this is one thing you should know in order to get the best out of your herbs. When purchasing from your local grocery store, buy only the herbs you intend to use during the day you are going to use them. Meanwhile, if you grow your own herbs, you can pick them in the morning after the dew dried up and before the sun is too hot.
o Washing herbs correctly
They should be washed and cleaned thoroughly. Wash small amounts of herbs under running water for a few minutes and pat them dry with a paper towel. On the other hand, put bunches of herbs in the sink or bowl and wash them thoroughly with water until all the dirt and grit are removed. Washing the herbs correctly can help make them stay fresh and clean for use.
o Storing fresh herbs
You can retain your herb's freshness by storing them correctly in the refrigerator. After cleaning and drying them, put herbs in a plastic bag or zip lock and punch holes around it to allow air to circulate, You can them put the bag in your ref's crisper or freezer. Another is by putting your herb in a glass with one inch water. Dip the tip of your herbs in the water and cover it with plastic. Do not tie the plastic otherwise there will not be enough air to circulate.
o Preparing fresh herbs for cooking
Once cleaned, your herbs are ready for cooking. You can mince them to smaller pieces, chop with a knife, or snip with scissors. Others use sprigs of herbs in cooking but mostly, it is the leaves which are often used.
By following the simple tips above, you can start working on that healthy cooking with fresh herbs. Just remember to choose the best herbs for cooking, wash and clean them correctly, store them well, and prepare the herbs for cooking as needed. Before you knew it, you'll be cooking like a pro.
Lianne Oaks is an herb garden enthusiast and enjoys helping and teaching people everything they need to know about starting and maintaining a thriving herb garden. For more great tips and advice on Cooking with Fresh Herbs, visithttp://www.basic-herb-garden.com.
Here there is a complimentary free mini-course on Herb Gardening.

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