Some of the most famous and tastiest herbs in the world come from Italy. Some of the best cuisines come from Italy and are well known in part for their herbs. Growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden provides a massive quantity of potential.
Basil is a well know Italian herb and useful in many Italian recipes. Basil will not only add flavor to many Italian cuisines, it is useful in the garden to other plants. Planting basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve their flavor. Plus, basil will also keep at bay those pesky flies and mosquitoes.
Parsley is a relatively hard herb plant to grow. It is useful not only in Italian dishes but many other types of cuisines. Many generations ago before their were breath mints it was found that eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal eliminated the bad breath left over from enjoying a savory cuisine. The tradition arose to serve parsley on a small dish after the meal. The custom lives today by using parsley as a garnish on an assortment of meals.
Oregano is as decorative as it is flavorful. When it is fully mature it will sprout pretty little purple flowers. Oregano should not be harvested until it has flowered because this is when the plant is at most flavorful.
Fennel is famous for its seeds that grace and enhance the flavors of Italian sausage. The interesting thing about fennel is that the plant looses its flavor as it matures. It is a perennial plant that should be divided and replanted every few years to savor its flavor.
Like basil, Rosemary is an Italian herb that is beneficial to the garden. It grows into a large shrub that spouts pretty little blue flowers. It helps the garden by attracting bees. Although it is a tough evergreen perennial, it is sensitive to frost.
Garlic is probably the herb that is most used in Italian cooking. No Italian herb garden would be complete without this useful herb. Garlic gloves can be planted and will flourish in just about any garden with very little attention. They can be stored to be used at a later date after they are harvested. Freezing them or pickling them to be stored in the refrigerator is some of the methods used.
Sage is used in a variety of Italian dishes from meats to salads. New shoots of the plant contain the most flavors. It is recommended not to let sage plants to get to woody by keeping them trimmed. New shoots will be encouraged to grow if you keep the sage trimmed. Sage can be harvested after it blooms.
There are many more herbs that you can include in your Italian herb garden. You do need to consider what kinds of herbs you wish to use and the growing conditions for the herbs you have selected to put in your garden. Make sure you are able to meet then needs of the herbs you have chosen for your Italian herb garden.
Italian herbs add wonderful flavors to food, but also offer so much more. Italian herbs make and incredible addition to landscaping designs. They can be shown for their spectacular colors and enjoyed for the tantalizing aromas the herbs release. By planting Italian herbs amid other plants, you will be graced with the sweet aromas straight from Italy.
By: Paul Zeman
Posts Tagged ‘Culinary Delight’
The Italian Herb Garden – A Culinary Delight
February 7th, 2010Lotus Stem – The Culinary Delight
January 22nd, 2010
The beauty of lotus has inspired art, religion and folklore from times immemorial. The handsome plant is rejoiced not only on account of its attractive flowers but its different parts have been brought to use by the locals. Lotus symbolizes purity of mind and thought while amidst the impurity of the worldly affairs. Lotus is the National flower of India. It holds high esteem in Buddhism and connects with rebirth and enlightenment for it closes following sunset and blooms again with the kiss of first ray of sun. It is the connotation of longitivity, good luck, health and vigor and is backed by the fact that 5000 year old seeds of lotus unearthened were still capable of re-germination without difficulty. Lotus is much revered in Indian and Oriental mythology and is the seat of various Gods and Goddesses as Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Lakshmi.
Lotus stems are very much used in Asian cuisines and are much relished for their taste and nutritional value. They are very rich in iron and calcium content besides high dietary fiber. It is highly recommended for pregnant women. People with chronic complain of constipation can also profit from its use.
For best results, lotus stem curry should be prepared in the following way-
Methodology to prepare lotus stem balls
• Cut each lotus stem into three parts and put it on boil.
• Cool them. Then peel its skin and grate it.
• Mix the grated shreds with gram flour and add salt, red chilly to taste.
• Pour water enough to make them as balls.
• Fry these balls in cooking oil till brown and keep them on blotting paper to soak extra oil.
Methodology to prepare curry
Ingredients
• 2 Onions cut small or grated.
• Tomatoes also cut small or grated.
• Garlic-Ginger-Green Chilly paste.
• Coarsely crushed large cardamom (3), small cardamom (3), cloves (3), and a few black peppers collectively called garam masala.
Heat oil and fry onions till reddish brown. Now add garlic-ginger-green chilly paste to this and stir for 2 minutes. To this add tomato puree and let it brew for another 2-3 minutes and add salt, red chilly, turmeric before adding 3 cups of water. Bring this to boil.
Now gently add lotus stem balls to this and add garam masala. Let it boil for another 10 minutes.
Garnish this with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice/hot bread.
By: Rosy Vohra
