It is often the subtle seasonings within a food dish that give it a “wow” factor, and anyone has the ability to deliver this delicious surprise anytime when they have their own container herb garden. Forget the salt and pepper, and focus instead on combinations of fresh rosemary, chervil, cilantro, basil and more to bring more flavorful goodness to your home cooked meals.
Herbs are the very essence of flavor. Aromatic and distinctive, they have been used to enhance meats, vegetables and even desserts for many centuries, as well as being put to use in a medicinal purpose in the case of some. They can be used in either fresh or dried form, but as with any food, they begin to lose their flavors and nutritional value when stored over a period of time. Culinary chefs prefer to use only the freshest of snipped herbs in their signature dishes in order to provide the ultimate flavor to the palates of their clientele. Different herbs are used to flavor different types of food, so having a variety of fresh herbs on hand when you need them can be difficult unless you grow your own.
To begin your own container herb garden, decide which herbs you would like to grow. Beginners often choose the most common of herbs, such as basil, chives and oregano; mainly chosen because they know how to cook with them. All that will be needed to start will be a planting container that will fit in your windowsill or on a stand near a sunny window or patio door, a good potting soil mix and seeds. If you prefer, starter plants are also offered at many garden shops that will provide faster results. Once the seeds are sown as directed on the packages, the enjoyment of watching your selected herbs grow begins.
In addition to being flavorful food additives, herbs have health benefits to offer as well. Parsley is a great breath freshener, while rosemary is helpful when used for tummy upsets. Chervil, a popular herb in French cooking, is also good for digestive issues but is also very high in minerals and vitamins. Fennel is an herb that is used in many pork dishes and offers the addition benefit of helping to reduce bloating.
This is an interesting Terra Cotta EarthBox listed on Amazon that would make a great container herb garden.
Growing your own container herb garden will bring pleasure in many ways, and is easy enough for any novice cook. Delicious and healthy, fresh herbs can help anyone to cook flavorful and gourmet quality meals.
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