Fresh herbs in the kitchen.

Fresh herbs are a versatile and healthy ingredient that can transform your everyday dishes into culinary delights. Here are some tips on how to make the most of fresh herbs in your kitchen:

How to Use Fresh Herbs for a Special Touch to Your Dishes

Basil

• Use on PlatesIdeal for salads, pasta and sauces, especially pesto.
• Homemade Pesto: Blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil in a blender to create a delicious pesto that you can use on pasta, sandwiches or as a salad dressing.
• Fresh SaladsAdd fresh basil leaves to your tomato and mozzarella salads for an aromatic and refreshing touch, enhancing the flavour of the fresh ingredients.
• Sauces and Soups: Incorporate basil at the end of cooking in tomato sauces and soups to keep its flavour vibrant and fresh, giving a Mediterranean touch to your dishes.
• CouncilAdd it at the end of cooking to keep its fresh and vibrant flavour.

Parsley

• Use on PlatesPerfect for stews, salads, and as a garnish on almost any dish.
• GremolataMix chopped fresh parsley, garlic and lemon zest to create a gremolata, a garnish that adds a fresh, citrusy touch to meat, fish or grilled vegetable dishes.
• Sauces and MarinadesIncorporate chopped parsley into sauces and marinades to give them a fresh, herbal flavour. It is especially good in green sauces such as chimichurri sauce for grilled meats.
• Versatile GarnishUse chopped fresh parsley as a garnish for almost any dish, from soups and stews to salads and pastas, to add colour and a touch of freshness.
• CouncilMix chopped parsley with garlic and olive oil to make a quick and tasty sauce.

Cilantro

• Use on PlatesExcellent in sauces, tacos, and Asian dishes.
• Sauces and GuacamolesAdd chopped fresh coriander to sauces and guacamole for a fresh, citrusy flavour, perfect with tacos, nachos and other Mexican dishes.
• Asian DishesCoriander: Add coriander to Asian dishes such as curries, salads and soups to give them an aromatic and fresh touch, balancing spicy and salty flavours.
• Salads and MarinadesCilantro: Blends coriander with olive oil, lemon juice and spices to create salad dressings and marinades that enhance the flavour of meats, fish and vegetables.
• CouncilUse fresh and raw to maintain its fresh citrus flavour.

Romero

• Use on PlatesIdeal with meats, especially lamb and chicken, as well as roast potatoes.
• Carne AsadaUse fresh rosemary sprigs to flavour grilled meats, especially lamb and chicken. Insert the sprigs into the meat or place them over the coals to impart their aroma.
• Infused OilsInfuses olive oil with rosemary to create an aromatic oil perfect for dressing salads, drizzling over pizzas or accompanying freshly baked bread.
• Baked PotatoesAdd fresh rosemary to the potatoes before roasting them in the oven. The rosemary will give an aromatic and earthy flavour, complementing the crispy texture of the potatoes.
• CouncilInfuse oils and butters with rosemary for an extra touch of flavour.

Thyme

• Use on Plates: Works well in stews, soups and marinades.
• Stews and casserolesAdd fresh thyme sprigs at the beginning of cooking in stews and casseroles. Its earthy, slightly minty flavour infuses slowly, enhancing the flavour of meats and vegetables.
• Soups and BrothsAdd fresh thyme to soups and stocks for an aromatic touch. It is especially good in chicken soups and vegetable stocks, adding depth and complexity to the flavour.
• Thyme ButterMix chopped fresh thyme with softened butter to create a compound butter that you can use to spread on bread, melt over steaks or mix into mashed potatoes.
• CouncilAdd it at the beginning of cooking so that its flavour is evenly distributed.

Mint

• Use on PlatesPerfect for salads, drinks and desserts.
• Fresh SaladsAdd fresh mint leaves to fruit or vegetable salads for a refreshing and aromatic touch. It goes especially well with watermelon, cucumber and feta cheese.
• Drinks and CocktailsUse fresh mint in drinks such as mojitos, lemonades and iced teas for a refreshing and invigorating flavour.
• Desserts and SaucesMint: Incorporate chopped mint in desserts such as ice cream, cakes and chocolate mousse. You can also make a mint sauce to accompany meats such as lamb.
• CouncilMix chopped mint with fresh fruit for a refreshing fruit salad.

Dill

• Use on PlatesExcellent with fish, in sauces and potato salads.
• Salmon and FishSprinkle fresh dill on salmon fillets and other fish before baking or grilling. Dill brings a fresh, slightly aniseed flavour that perfectly complements seafood.
• Sauces and DressingsMix chopped fresh dill with yoghurt, sour cream or mayonnaise to create delicious dips and dressings. Ideal with salads, vegetables and fish dishes.
• PicklesAdd fresh dill to the brine when preparing homemade pickles. Its distinctive and aromatic flavour enhances pickles, carrots and other pickled vegetables.
• CouncilUse it in yoghurt with garlic for a homemade tzatziki sauce.

Tarragon

• Use on PlatesIdeal for chicken dishes, eggs and in vinaigrettes.
• Chicken TarragonCooking : Cook chicken breasts with fresh tarragon, white wine and cream to create a classic French dish. Tarragon adds a mild, slightly aniseed flavour that enhances the white meat.
• Vinaigrettes and DressingsIncorporate chopped tarragon into vinaigrettes and salad dressings. Its distinctive flavour adds a special touch to any mix of greens and vegetables.
• Eggs and SaucesAdd tarragon to sauces such as Béarnaise sauce and egg dishes such as omelets and quiches. Tarragon brings a unique flavour that combines well with creamy and smooth ingredients.
• CouncilAdd it to a cream sauce for a sophisticated touch.

Grow Your Own Herbs

• Additional adviceConsider growing your own herbs at home. You don't need a large space; even a sunny window can be enough for a small herb garden.
• Choosing the Right PlacePlant your herbs in a sunny spot, preferably where they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, such as a south-facing window or a balcony.
• Irrigation and DrainageMake sure the pots have good drainage and water the herbs regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged, to avoid root rot.
• Frequent HarvestingTrim grasses regularly to encourage dense, healthy growth. Use clean scissors and cut just above a node or set of leaves.

Storage and Care

• CoolingWrap fresh herbs in damp kitchen paper and place them in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator. This helps to keep them moist and prolong their freshness.
• FreezingWash and dry the herbs well, chop finely and place them in ice cube trays with a little water or olive oil. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer bags for use when needed.
• Water StorageFor herbs with soft stems, such as coriander and parsley, place the stems in a glass of water like flowers and cover lightly with a plastic bag. Change the water every few days to keep them fresh.
• DryingIf you have more herbs than you can use fresh, consider drying them by hanging them upside down in a cool, dry place.

Fresh herbs not only enhance the flavour of your food, but also provide nutrients and health benefits. Experiment with different combinations and discover how these small ingredients can make a big difference in your dishes!