Herblicious

Rosemary and Thyme is not just a British television series. It has become the norm in most kitchens as they have become more readily available and as cooking shows and classes have taught us the great potential to make unique dishes these herbs provide.

Rosemary

I first discovered the joys of cooking with these herbs about a year ago after watching Ina Garten make rosemary mashed potatoes and chicken cutlet with thyme in the bread crumb mixture and have never looked back. Now I am a firm believer in fresh herbs versus dried. The flavors are so different. Now if you are in a bind and can't get fresh which nowadays is virtually impossible. Just remember that you will have to make adjustments to recipes as dried is more intense.

Thyme

Rosemary and Thyme can be grown outdoors if you have a garden. If you don't you can purchase bunches of them at the grocery stores or specialty food store. There are great tips to be found on this site for growing herbs: http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetablepatch/a/Rosemary.htm

 The lemony lightness of Thyme and the pungent powerhouse of Rosemary and how they pair up with different dishes. Here are some ideas to using these wonderful herbs that once you use you will never be without them.

Crispy Shrimp

Take 2 sprigs of Thyme and add them to Panko (Japanese bread crumbs) bread crumbs along with lemon zest salt and pepper and sear shrimp in olive oil until golden brown.

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Take 2 tablespoons chopped Rosemary, yeast, flour, 6 tbsps of olive oil and make homemade bread. Recipe specifics at :http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/The-Best-Rosemary-Focaccia-Bread-63530

Roast Chicken

Take 6 sprigs of Thyme and 3 of Rosemary, half and onion, 2 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Stuff a 3 pound chicken and roast for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees. And you have a healthy and elegant meal that can be turned into sandwiches the next day. Or pair it with baby red bliss potatoes.

So these two antithetical aromatics make even the most modest of meals pop with flavor that takes chicken to a whole new level, makes shrimp even tastier and you will wonder how you ate bread without rosemary. 

Cheers to these plants. Try it on some dishes. Go crazy and experiment. See what you come up with and let me know. I'd love your feedback.

Happy Eating!