Culinary Pot Pourri of 'erbs

THE GOLDEN RULE
Less is always more when it comes to using herbs and spices in cooking; same rule applies when using herbs for health reasons as some herbs can be toxic when used in large quantities!

One such herb is Comfrey which I can testify to being amazing for fast-tracking healing of fractures.
My ankle fracture healed so well that the doctor could not even see the fracture in the x-ray four weeks later.
I was drinking about four cups of Comfrey tea per day during my recovery period. The toxic ingredient pyrrolizidine alkaloid is removed from the tea by a local manufacturer, who supplies it in a tea, in capsule form, a tincture and a skin cream.
I suggest you check the other health benefits for yourself, it really is an amazing herb but I can personally say this truly is worthy of being called the knit-bone herb!
I also use comfrey in cooking, much like spinach, it's just more delicious! I also chop up a few leaves to add to soup, really gives it an awesome taste.

Today I would like to share some uses for herbs in cooking; to flavour and garnish.

If you remember one thing about my post, it is this: when cooking with herbs and spices ALWAYS have a light hand; NEVER overdo it as you want to enhance the flavor of your food, not overpower it!

I’m fortunate in having a little herb garden just outside my kitchen door, so I try to have a variety of my favourites growing there; nothing like running out the door and being able to pick it fresh and use it immediately.

I will showcase the varied uses of herbs and spices by sharing a little of my Steemit food journey with you all.

A TIPPLE OR TWO
Herbs can be used to add health benefits to beverages, and I made Ouma Lily's Herbal Tonic Spiced Wine which also makes a lovely gift for a special friend; this was part of my series called Gifts from the heart.
A dry and a sweet red wine is mixed and infused with the remembrance herb Rosemary, Cassia Cinnamon bark, Star Anise, Cloves, Peppercorns, Nutmeg, Orange & Lemon peel, a creation of my mother, aka Ouma Lily.
Rosemary is excellent as a memory booster, for stress relief, or as a mood enhancer. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and helps with many bowel problems.

Sunshiny Golden Milk is another favourite and has amazing anti-inflammatory properties plus a ton of other health benefits such as improving memory, mood, lowering risk of cancer, improving digestion, antibacterial, antiviral and an antifungal.
I use unsweetened Almond Milk with a good quality Organic Turmeric, fresh Ginger Root, crushed black Peppercorns, Vanilla pod, Cassia bark and Coconut Oil and sweeten it with Maple Syrup. I made this for Fruits and Veggies Monday a while back.

ENTREES BRING THE PROMISE OF BETTER THINGS
Some entrees are more substantial and real comfort food, and this Split Pea & Vegetable Soup fits that bill; served with a crusty bread roll, one does not need anything else except maybe another bowl of this delicious soup which also was made for my friends at Fruits and Veggies Monday!

LUNCHTIME SANDWICHES
I made an unusual open sandwich which I named Starry Baked Trout & Wedges for Steemit Sandwich Contest using a Lemon & Herb Baked Trout as the main ingredient. The fish was stuffed with Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme from my herb garden as well as Lemon slices and butter and baked in foil.

Remember the classic Simon and Garfunkel song Scarborough Fair?

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
For once she was a true love of mine...

The herbs really gave this fish a lovely flavor and also made a pretty star shaped garnish.

THE MAIN COURSE
For those who enjoy Roast Chicken with stuffing; Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme is the best!
There goes that song again;)

Still on the chicken theme; I was stumped with an @cookwithus challenge where we were given a mystery basket of four ingredients: Chicken or Tofu, Tomatoes, Tea and Strawberries.
Granny Google came to the rescue so I made Tea-rubbed Chicken with Strawberry Tomato Salsa
I marinated chicken breasts in a Lemon tea marinade, adding grated Lemon Zest, fresh Rosemary & Thyme, a touch of spice in Star Anise and a Rustic Garlic & Herb seasoning.
I also made a tea rub for the chicken, adding the same herbs, plus Lemon Zest and Garlic & Herb dry seasoning and grilled the chicken.

Sweet Basil certainly is best paired with Tomatoes so a Strawberry Tomato Salsa with loads of fresh Basil, Cilantro and Spring Onions and a Balsamic Dressing was the perfect accompaniment for the chicken.

DESSERT TO SWEETEN THE DAY
You will always find the calming herb Lavender somewhere in my garden; not only is it useful to make little pot pourri bags to place amongst linen or under a pillow to emit a lovely fragrance and promote a good night’s sleep, but it can also be used in cooking.

I made Lavender Panna Cotta & Shortbread Sticks with Choc Brownie Truffle Lollipops for a @cookwithus challenge.
The Panna Cotta was flavoured with a touch of Orange Zest, drizzled with Lavender Syrup and garnished with Candied Lavender flowers; still slightly wobbly and creamy.
Delicately flavoured buttery Olive Oil & Lavender Shortbread Sticks provided the crunch factor. I used fresh Lavender flowers and chopped them finely to add to the Shortbread dough, dusted it with Lavender Sugar and bunched them together with Lavender shoots for serving.

I do hope this has given you some inspiration to experiment with herbs in the kitchen, to tantalize the taste buds and also to aid with healing.

This Culinary Pot Pourri of 'erbs has been my contribution to the challenge by @naturalmedicine called Share Herb Recipes, Ideas and Wisdoms. I got totally carried away as usual when I start talking food so I have shared more than one 'erb here! Call me Dizzy Lizzy if you like, but I do like my 'erbs!

Original Content by @lizelle
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