Basil tops the list of must-grow culinary herbs for summer and it is not hard to find 10 good reasons to grow it! For a start there are at least 10 different varieties of basil and each has something to recommend it. The two top culinary varieties are Sweet basil and Basil “Genovese”. Sweet basil […]
It is given different names and opinions differ on its ‘fragrance’ but coriander is universally counted as one of the most distinctive culinary herbs. Whether you know it as coriander, cilantro or Chinese parsley, Coriandrumsativum is commonly used in the cuisine of almost every continent or region: South Asia, Middle East, Central Asia, Mediterranean, India, […]
Coriander is one of those herbs that can evoke a strong reaction. Here’s a clue; Coriandrum comes from the Greek word “coris’ meaning ‘bedbug’, because of the similar odour of the leaves. The fresh leaves may be an acquired taste for Western palates but are an essential ingredient in many Southern Asian and Chinese dishes. […]
A Mediterranean herb that is inextricably linked to our diverse and colourful culinary tradition is the bay leaf. What would Malay food be without bay leaves, especially bobotie? Or venison, for that matter? Whether it is game or beef, bay adds a deep, spicy note to slow cooked red meat dishes as well as to […]
Rosemary How easy it is to take rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) for granted. Once it is in the garden it is just there – doesn’t demand water, doesn’t over-grow everything, and doesn’t mind heat or cold. Winter is a fine time to become reacquainted with this herb. It flavours succulent roasts, can be added to bathwater […]
Cool Season Rocket Rocket is noted for its distinctive nutty, tangy flavour, a quality that has created legions of rocket lovers. It is a cool season crop and grows best, with less bolting, during the cooler months of the year. Rocket Soup Ingredients • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (2 cups) • 3 cups […]
Salad Burnett Salad burnet is an interesting herb to grow in your herb garden with its fern-like leaves, but even more importantly it’s an easy to grow, useful herb. Its leaves taste much like cucumber, and can be used whole in salads or chopped into soups and other dishes. Burnet does not dry well, but […]
Soothing herbal cream Gather some skin healing herbs from your garden such as Rose Geranium, Lavender and Chamomile and follow our step by step method for a soothing herbal cream. Do remember to make some space in you herb garden for Calendula, the winter herb that heals from within.
How to Make a Living Herb Wreath Material: • Wire Wreath Frame • Garden Shears • Live Herb Plants • Sphagnum Moss • Florist Wire Soak sphagnum moss in a bucket until it is moist. Cover the wreath frame with the sphagnum moss. Select perennial herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, sage or tarragon. […]
Herbal Dryer Sachets Dryer sachets are sealed fabric pouches filled with dried herbs and flowers and scented with essential oils that you throw in the dryer with each load. The heat and movement from the dryer releases the fragrances from the herbs and oils, leaving leaves your clothes with a lasting, gentle aroma. Dryer sachets […]