Herbs: Spice up Your Life

How do you make your food taste great without all of the salt and fat? Herbs and spices are the vital ingredient— fresh herbs all the better.

Have you ever wondered, what is the difference between herbs and spices? The difference between the two is where they are obtained from the plant. Herbs come from the leafy and green part of the plant. Spices come from the root, stem, bulb, bark or seed; any part other than the leafy bit.

Herbs and spices add flavor, aroma, color, texture and nutrition. Herbs contain essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties related to disease prevention. Listed below are some of the best fall-season herbs. Whether you like to grow them yourself or buy them in the grocery store, these herbs will pair great with your fall dishes. Spice up your life and your health!

Thyme:                             

Complimenting rosemary and oregano, thyme is high in vitamin C and adds depth to soups and stews. Thyme also can be used to add flavor to meats, roasted chicken, fish, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and winter vegetables.

 

Rosemary:

Rosemary has a love for garlic and olive oil and goes well with beans, roasted meats, and potatoes. Unlike most herbs, rosemary can stand the heat and should be added early in your cooking process.

 

Chives:

Adding chives to your dish can be a gentle way to introduce onion flavor. Chives pair well with eggs, cheddar and ricotta cheeses, and root vegetables (especially potatoes). Using chives fresh and not cooked helps maintain its vibrant color and flavor.

 

Sage:

Sage is a velvety herb that goes great with roasted poultry and meat dishes, onions, pasta, and beans. For a classic herb combination, bundle it with parsley and rosemary. Sage has also been known to enhance cognitive function for those with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Parsley:

Parsley pairs well with garlic and lemon, and it complements most herbs, making it ideal for blending. Use parsley with fish and just about any soup dish. Just one tablespoon of parsley gives you more than 50% of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin K.

 

Comment below and tell us what you’re doing to spice up your life! 🙂 sy