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give your dishes a braver flavorby Annie Cunningham Do your daily dinners taste drab? Why not spice things up a bit with herbs. The thought of using herbs may intimidate folks because they may not know what they are or how to use them. Learning the basics about herbs will take you from novice to gourmet in no time. According a fact sheet from Ohio State University, culinary herbs’ fresh or dried leaves are used in cooking and are different from spices. Generally, culinary herbs are fresh or dried leaves while spices are seeds, roots, fruits, flowers and bark. Culinary herbs usually have a mild flavor while spices tend to have a stronger, pungent flavor. Several common spices are cinnamon, aniseeds and gingerroot. Popular herbs grown in Ohio include basil variations, chives, dill, French tarragon, mints, oregano, rosemary and thyme. Dry vs. Fresh Buying, Storing, Using But before you run out to the grocery store, check around. Fresh herbs may be much less expensive at your local farmers’ market. Only buy what you can use. Fresh herbs should be kept in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, but it will not be long before they wilt. If you prefer fresh herbs, you could always grow your own. Many grocery stores or greenhouses sell live plants; basil, chives and rosemary are common. With a staple like basil, you can't go wrong by growing your own, and most herbs are hardy plants. Once you've got your herbs home, take time to find the right storage space. Dried herbs don't like light, air or moisture, so be sure they’re well-sealed and store them in a cool, dark, dry place. Now that you’re ready to cook, try adding some zest to your favorite dishes. Herbs will certainly wake up your palette. You must be logged in to leave a comment. Click here to login or register. |
Grow It. Make It. Know It. :
March 13, 2010 - October 23, 2010
Location: Preble County
Paws in the Plaza :
April 01, 2010 - December 02, 2010
Location: Creekside Plaza, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Family Fishing at Creekside :
May 08, 2010 - September 11, 2010
Location: Creekside Park & Plaza, 123 Mill St., Gahanna, OH
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