| Herbs add flavor and personality to any dish. Herbs | | | | with fresh garden tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. |
| fresh from the garden are especially flavorful. There | | | | Fresh basil can be chopped and incorporated into |
| are a wide variety of herbs that can be grown at | | | | salads, pastas and vegetable dishes. |
| home, anywhere from pots in a sunny window to a | | | | Parsley adds fresh flavor to almost any dish. It is also |
| full-scale herb garden. | | | | a natural breath freshener. Try chopping parsley and |
| Many herbs can be grown from seeds that are | | | | freezing in small containers to add to your cooking |
| planted each year. Some herbs are perennial, which | | | | throughout the year. |
| means that once they are established they will return | | | | Rosemary is a strong, robust herb. In certain climates |
| each year. Most perennial herbs are grown from | | | | it can be grown as a beautiful ornamental shrub. It |
| young plants, while annual herbs are grown from | | | | adds incredible flavor to lamb and other meats. |
| seed. You can start seeds indoors in pots and then | | | | Rosemary pairs especially well with garlic - try adding |
| move them outdoors to the garden if you like. Herbs | | | | rosemary to your garlic bread, roasted potatoes or |
| often grow well in large pots on a deck or patio. | | | | other vegetables. |
| Herbs are easy to find and include in your garden | | | | Dill is a fresh summer annual that adds zip to salads, |
| plans. Many types of herb seeds are readily available | | | | breads and soups. It's often paired with sour cream |
| in home and garden centers, or from online sources. | | | | or yogurt for dips or a cool summer soup. It works |
| You can also find small indoor or container herb | | | | well with salmon. |
| gardens to get you started with growing these tasty | | | | Mint is a perennial herb that spreads easily throughout |
| plants. | | | | your garden. It livens up teas and adds freshness to |
| Annual herbs include oregano, basil and dill. Some | | | | lush berries and cream. Mint complements grilled lamb |
| popular perennial herbs are rosemary, thyme, chives, | | | | and adds an exotic flavor to dishes. |
| mint and parsley. All of these herb varieties add fresh | | | | Herbs can be dried and preserved for up to one |
| flavors to your cooking. | | | | year. Dry the herbs thoroughly and store them |
| Basil is very popular and easy to grow. Basil leaves | | | | whole, in rigid containers with airtight seals. You can |
| are used in Italian pasta sauce along with oregano. | | | | also freeze herbs in Ziploc bags and store for up to |
| The longer the sauce is simmered, the more flavor is | | | | two years. These preserved herbs will continue to |
| released from the basil leaves. Fresh basil is an | | | | add life to your cooking long after harvest. |
| important part of the delicious margarita pizza, along | | | | |