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Fresh Herbs All Year Make for Great Entertaining
Turkey salad with fresh tarragon, crostini spread with homemade pesto and a refreshing mint mojito on a hot summer day. What do these things have in common? Fresh herbs. Whether cook- ing for a family, entertaining friends after work, or having a romantic cocktail with that special someone, fresh herbs can be the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. Fresh herbs can take cooking and entertaining to the next level. This goes way beyond adding oregano to your spa- ghetti sauce. Did you know you can save money, time and waste of produce if you grow your own fresh herbs, right there on your kitchen windowsill? Basil and parsley are two of the most common herbs grown in kitchens. This is because these herbs have a wonderful scent, are relatively easy to grow and are very common ingredients in both winter and summer dishes. Other popular herbs include dill, cilantro, chives, rosemary, oregano, thyme, mint and sage. One note on mint - this herb spreads
quickly and can become unmanageable in the yard. But mint does extremely well in containers - just make certain you keep the container separate from your other herbs. With only a window ledge and very little effort, you can
have fresh herbs at your fingertips. To get started growing herbs indoors, try these helpful hints: * Location is key. Herbs like sun, so make certain your
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Pelham Windham News
April 27, 2012 Page 14
window area receives plenty of good light - preferably from the south. Stem herbs like oregano and thyme will send out new growth toward the sun, so also plan to rotate the pots to keep the plants growing tall. You might consider setting up a grow lamp to give your herbs additional light - especially in the winter months when the daylight hours are shorter and less intense. * Grow those tiny seeds. Getting your herb garden started might seem like a monumental task, but the Miracle-Gro
those away to allow for new plant growth. As your herbs grow along your win-
dow sill, don’t forget to plan delicious recipes using these fresh ingredients - recipes that will delight the palate and impress your friends. Consider some of the following ideas for incorporating fresh herbs into your meals: * Make your own pizza. Spread olive oil or sauce over pizza crust, then top with fresh veggies and chopped up basil, rosemary, thyme and oregano. A little cheese and you’re ready to bake. * Pesto is a great basil-based sauce,
and when made, freezes well so you can have a delicious dinner all winter long.
* Decorate soups - both out of a can and homemade - with parsley, chives or to emit a bit of spice, cilantro. * Add a couple basil leaves to a
sandwich for some unexpected zip. * Give salads a slight peppery taste
Culinary Herb Garden makes this process so much easier. Plant the handy seed disks - choose three from basil, chives, cilantro, dill and thyme - directly into the mini Gro-Bag, which contains Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. Keep the soil damp and your herbs will thrive. You can also try the Culinary Herb Kit to grow a single herb plant. Simply pour the nutrient-enriched potting mix - which comes in the kit - into the bamboo pot and plant the seed disk. Both kits come with recipes on the back, or visit
www.groyourown.com for additional recipes. * Water maintenance. As your plants develop, prevent
over watering by allowing the soil to dry to the touch. When watering, use enough moisture to see water pooling near the container drain holes. * Trimming and upkeep. If you use your herbs frequently,
you probably won’t need to trim off any dead branches or leaves. But if you do notice dead leaves on branches, trim
by tossing the lettuce with cilantro, mint and chives.
* Freshen your drinks with crushed mint. It will give your lemonade or iced tea a surprising kick and make your mint julep even tastier.
* Can some pickles using fresh dill. * Develop rubs for chicken and pork using dill or sage. * Make a fresh bouquet garni by tying together assorted fresh herbs with thread. Then just drop into soups, stews or roasting meats. * Don’t forget, herbs aren’t just for cooking. Give an herb in a painted pot as a hostess gift or use an herb topiary as a centerpiece to add interest to any gathering. The options are endless, and as you browse through your recipe collection, you won’t have to look far for the season- ing ingredients, since these are growing on your windowsill. - ARA Content
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grass clippings on the lawn. Mow frequently to avoid removing more than one third of the grass height, and do so when grass is dry to avoid damp clumps that could smother grass. Leaving clippings on the lawn recycles nutrients stored in the clippings keeping the soil cooler, encouraging deeper root growth and enriching the soil with organic material. Keep these simple mowing tips in mind every
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