What's
exciting is the world of cooking herbs is deep and diverse with hundreds of
different varieties available, each one offering its own unique flavour and
characteristics. So how do you know which herb is good for what?
We've
put together a helpful guide that will teach you how to cook with herbs and
find out which ones work well together, what foods they are best with and much
more.
How to cook with
herbs: Popular herbs
Basil
This
aromatic Mediterranean herb is a natural pairing with strong flavours like
garlic, as demonstrated in this Italian pesto recipe. Basil is delicate enough
for mixing with fruit, like this watermelon gazpacho, and is heavenly with tomatoes,
as Italians already know.
Rosemary
Rosemary
and roasted chicken were meant to be together (try this killer recipe). This
robust herb adds loads of flavour to roasted meats and is great for sauces,
sprinkling on breads and making stuffing.
Dill
Cucumber,
fish, yogurt and beets are all great pairings with dill. This fragrant herb
lends itself well to preparations such as warm potato salad with salmon and
creamy tzatziki sauce.
Mint
Mint
juleps and mojitos are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cooking
with this highly aromatic herb. Mint adds freshness to sweet and savory dishes
alike. Try it with roasted lamb, crostini, salads and burgers (especially this
delightful prawn-chicken burger).
Coriander
You
either love it or hate it, but coriander is one of the most versatile herbs in
the kitchen. It is used across the globe to add pizzazz to recipes like Thai
coconut soup, Mexican guacamole and Indian cauliflower and peas.
How to cook with
herbs: More ideas
This
nifty infographic from Heiton Buckley offers suggestions on how to cook with
different herbs and what ingredients they work best with – from oregano and
tarragon to thyme, parsley and more. Take a look:
By Heiton Buckley