Spring is the perfect season for fresh herbs and an amazing way to brighten your dull dishes for your guests.
Warmer weather is approaching which means the time to spend cooking on the grill is nearing. Of course, dry herbs are always an option when preparing your food to cook, but fresh is always better; more specifically, our fresh hydroponic herbs. Spring is the perfect season for fresh herbs and an amazing way to brighten your dull dishes for your guests. Deciding which herbs work best with which dishes can be tricky. Here are our 4 core hydroponic herbs that are great to start with along with some tips on using them while cooking:
Basil:
Flavor profile- Licorice and cloves
Cooking tip- Flavor is best maximized if used at the end of cooking
Pair with- Pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, pizza, green leaf salads, olive oil, chicken
Cilantro:
Flavor profile- Bright, Soapy, Citrusy
Cooking tip- Best used if used at the beginning of cooking as well as at the end as a garnish
Pair with- Rice, spicy dishes, chicken, shrimp, fish, vinaigrettes, salads, soups
Thyme:
Flavor Profile- sweet, pungent
Cooking Tip- Best when added in the beginning
Pair With- Stews, meats, poultry, soups, potatoes, stuffing
Parsley:
Flavor Profile- Flat parsley has a peppery bite and curly parsley is bland
Cooking Tip- Both are great used as a garnish; curly parsley is great to use while cooking
Pair With- Vegetables, fish, rice, salad, soups, meats
Storing Fresh Herbs
It is important to know how to store your herbs not only for convenience but to preserve their fresh taste and quality. Before you store them in the fridge, consider wrapping them in a slightly damp paper towel inside a Ziplock bag for extra security. Placing them under the light is usually best. When it’s time to use them, there may be a few wilted or discolored leaves that you can easily cut away and dispose of. Unlike dry herbs, fresh herbs do not have a long shelf life so it’s best to use them as soon as possible no matter how soon you stored them.
Washing Fresh Herbs
You should only wash your herbs if you plan on immediately using them. If you plan on using them later, it is best to store them in your fridge unwashed as water causes them to quickly wilt. When you’re ready to use your herbs place them in a bowl filled with cold water. To remove any dirt, gently move them around. Afterward, if there is a significant amount of dirt lingering in the bowl dump your water and rinse the herbs until the water is clear. Once they are removed from the water pat them dry using a paper towel.
BAYWATER FARMS HAS THE RIGHT PRODUCE FOR YOU
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.