It’s easy to add more pizzazz to your fruits and veggies when you know what to pair them with! Here are some tips on working with herbs:
- Dried herbs are three to four times stronger than fresh herbs. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon(15ml) fresh herbs, substitute 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried and vice versa.
- Cut or chop leaves of fresh herbs finely. The more cut surface exposed, the more flavour will be released.
- Rubbing dried herbs between your fingers will expose more surface area and release more flavour.
- Delicate aromas and flavours of herbs can be lost with overcooking.
- Save a few of the most attractive herb leaves for sprigs to use as a garnish.
- Fresh herbs freeze easily. Wash, pat dry, and freeze in airtight containers. Don’t thaw before adding to dishes as frozen herbs darken and become limp when thawed. You can even freeze them in olive oil for some extra flavour.
via The Kitchen
Wondering what goes with what? Here are some suggestions as to which herbs pair nicely with specific fruits and veggies:
Vegetables
| ARTICHOKE – bay leaf, marjoram, thyme |
| ASPARAGUS – caraway, mustard, nutmeg, sesame seed, tarragon |
| BEANS, WAX OR GREEN – basil, dill, marjoram, mustard, nutmeg, oregano, savory, thyme |
| BEETS – allspice, bay leaf, caraway, cloves, ginger, mustard |
| BROCCOLI – caraway, mustard, oregano, tarragon, nutmeg, rosemary |
| BRUSSELS SPROUTS – caraway, mustard, nutmeg, sage, oregano, rosemary |
| CABBAGE – caraway, celery seed, cumin, curry, fennel, mustard |
| CARROTS – allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon, curry, dill, ginger, tarragon |
| CAULIFLOWER – cayenne, celery seed, chili powder, nutmeg, paprika, rosemary, marjoram, savory, lovage, dill oregano |
| CORN – cayenne, celery seed, chili powder, curry, paprika |
| CUCUMBER – dill,mint, parsley, cumin |
| EGGPLANT – allspice, bay leaf, chili, marjoram, oregano, basil, lovage, mint, sage, thyme, chervil, chives, fennel, garlic |
| MUSHROOMS – parsley, tarragon, thyme |
| ONIONS – bay leaf, mustard, oregano, paprika, sage |
| PEAS – chili, dill, oregano, poppy seed, rosemary, sage, mint, basil, savory, tarragon, thyme, parsley, lovage, fennel |
| POTATOES – caraway, fennel, mustard, oregano, paprika, rosemary, sesame seed, basil, marjoram, mint, savory, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, parsley, chives. |
| RUTABAGA – allspice, celery seed, curry powder, dill oregano |
| SPINACH – allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, rosemary, sesame seed, lovage, sorrel, basil, mint, tarragon, thyme, sage, marjoram, chervil, borage |
| SQUASH – allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, paprika |
| SWEET POTATOES – cardamon, cinnamon, cloves nutmeg, poppy seed |
| TOMATOES – basil, celery seed, chile, curry, oregano, marjoram, sage, thyme, fennel, dill, chervil, chives |
Fruits
| APPLES – allspice, anise, caraway seed, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, dill, ginger, mint, nutmeg, almond extract, citrus extract |
| BANANAS – allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, |
| BERRIES – cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, vanilla |
| CHERRIES – allspice, cloves, cinnamon, mace, mint, nutmeg, almond extract, brandy, rum, vanilla |
| CRANBERRIES – allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, almond extract |
| GRAPEFRUIT – anise, cinnamon, ginger |
| GRAPES – allspice, cinnamon, cloves |
| MELONS – cardamon, ginger, mint, pepper |
| ORANGES – allspice, anise, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, nutmeg, rosemary |
| PEACHES – allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, almond extract, brandy, maple flavouring, rum |
| PEARS – allspice, anise, cinnamon, mint, ginger, nutmeg, maple flavouring |
| PINEAPPLE – allspice, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, mace, mint, nutmeg, rosemary, maple flavouring, vanilla |
| PLUMS – allspice, cinnamon, cloves, almond extract |
| RHUBARB – cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, citrus extract, vanilla |
| STRAWBERRIES – allspice, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, vanilla, pepper |
