Your herb harvests were excellent, even surprising. You first integrated them into your salads, then discovered tabbouleh, including unusual cocktails. You’ve even made pesto for the whole coming year, but you still have plenty of herbs on hand and production isn’t finished. Here are some ideas for using your herbs differently:
1. Infuse your oils
Wash and dry your herbs before adding them to a neutral oil such as canola, sunflower or grapeseed oil. Bake at 150˚C (300˚F) for 2 hours. Leave to cool for 30 minutes before filtering everything using a coffee filter or absorbent paper. Be aware that you need a good amount of herbs for the taste to be noticeable. You can also pair 2 to 3 flavors, such as:
- Rosemary, garlic and lemon zest
- Basil, French shallot and walnuts
- Cilantro, garlic and jalapeno peppers
You can store your flavored oils for up to 1 month in the refrigerator. Use them on your pizzas, in your salads or simply dip some hot bread in them.
2. Flavor your butter
What could be better to enhance the flavor of your dishes. Simply let your butter soften before adding the fresh herbs of your choice that you have previously chopped. Here are two great recipes to consider:
- Mix equal parts basil and chives, taking care to add a little pepper and lemon juice. You can use this butter to coat a salmon steak before cooking it.
- Thyme and rosemary also go well together. Add a little sea salt and voila! You can place a small piece on a steak before serving it. Yum, yum!
Wrapped in plastic wrap, the flavored butter can be kept for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. It can also be cut into portions and placed in the freezer. It will then keep for around 1 month.
3. Add freshness to your drawers
We all know the little sachets of lavender or rose petals that we insert through our clothes, but why not use fine herbs for the tablecloth and napkin drawer. They will perfume your table during a dinner. Use a small cotton or linen pouch that will let the scent pass and fill it with dried herbs to your liking. Try thyme and/or rosemary to add a Provençal touch.
4. Embellish your table
Add a centerpiece
Rather than adorning your table with a bouquet of cut flowers, why not make a beautiful assortment of fine herbs? In addition to being magnificent and different, your centerpiece will deliciously scent your room.
Decorate your glasses and napkins
Place a few leaves or branches on your napkins as decoration. Use jute rope to form pretty bouquets. The herbs will leave a pleasant smell and the table will look even prettier. You could also identify the name of each of your guests on small cards and hang them on their glass with a pretty braided rosemary branch. Your guests will be charmed!
5. Make a gift out of the ordinary
The trend is going green! Rather than wrapping your gift in traditional wrapping paper, opt for the alternative of brown paper and adorn it with a ribbon into which you will slip a small branch of your favorite fine herb. It’s fresh, it’s beautiful and it’s eco-friendly! You can not be wrong.
