It's that lime cucumber dish that I just love, but also on garlic lime shrimp, and lemon herb chicken too. It's rank on the list probably doesn't speak to how much I use it, but how little I use the others! Sometimes I get in a big bruschetta mood, and then the Italian basil will take it's place. I actually DID have a hard time thinking about what I use more, the lime or the regular!
Top ten must have's for your Garden
"that lime cucumber dish"... OK, now, I'm sure I've seen you post that somewhere... link please! :-)
Hmmm, might have been a Dmail to you. Here it is (this is going in my Cucumber article later this year, btw):
Lime Cucumbers
2# Cucumbers
Coarse Salt
4T Lime Juice
6T Canola Oil
1 1/2 T. Sugar
2-3T Lime basil Chiffonade
Peel and thinly slice cucumbers. Place in a colander, sprinkle with coarse salt. Drain for one hour.
Mix juice, oil and sugar in a blender (I use a stick blender).
Layer cucumbers and basil in a sealable container. Pour lime vinaigrette over the cucumbers. Chill 2-4 hours, occasionally shaking container to mix juices.
I also use it in a similar salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and onion. I just add some garlic to vinaigrette. Or I do this one with lemon juice and lemon basil.
Ah, your cucumber article! That's where we were talking about it! Thanks -- looks wonderful!
Honestly, I use it in anything that calls for cucumbers or lime or even lemon.
mmm, can't wait.
Well, I haven't visited the herb forum lately. Shame on me!! LOL Since I've just found this I'm adding my list from my fav on down. Of course, there are way more than 10. :)
Italian flat leaf - I absolutely can not do without this one.
Thyme (both French and lemon thyme
lemon verbina
Basil (especially Italian basil, but I also like sweet and purple ruffle.
Greek Oregano (the more powerful, the better!)
dill a must have but don't always have good luck with it.
cilantro but it sure bolts early in my summer heat.
Mint (especially 'Kentucky Colonel' spearmint = thanks to Critter for this one. :)
garlic chives = Thanks again to Critter. :)
Lavender (one of my all time favorite fragrances)
Rosemary This is probably my least fav, but I've recently discovered a couple of new recipes I like.
Okay, so that's 11. grin I still left some out. LOL
~Susan
Lime basil? There's another new one. ( looking up chiffanade, also)
Mrs Ed, Is that easy to seed and/or grow?
I'm glad I added this as a 'watched thread'.
Critter...btw, that was a nice article on thyme. I've also added a Thyme Garden to my 'to do list'
I can't decide if I want to dedicate a flower bed or garden just to thymes alone or let it mingle with the rest of the herbs.
Yep, Lime is easy to grow and easy to find now. Critter has a "sprite" mix that is Lemon/Lime, but I grow mine separately. Then I forget which one is which!!
Chiffonade is simply little strips of the herb. really common in basils to cut it that way.
Yes, I found the lime on the first site I went to =)
and I knew what chiffonade is...haha after I looked it up and was reminded. Ahhh those brain fades, they happen more and more =)
hee. i hear ya.
LOL... "Sprite Mix" happened because I lost the labels on my lemon and lime basil seeds as they were drying on the plates... I could still tell they were they citrus-y basils, but I could no longer tell them apart the way you can with fresh leaves... they really are as different as lemons and limes themselves.
I hapened to walk by the TV and heard Paula Deen ask Alton Brown to "chiffonade" the basil...LOL
I dont think I'll forget what the word means any time soon.
Hi everyone, I too love and grow herbs.
Oh the fav. 10, gosh I like em all, but I'll share some of the new herbs that I'm growing this season.
Rosemary, love this herb but the two new ones are
Tuscan Rosemary, yum, this will be good in the "Tuscan Tomato Sauce"
Barbecue Rosemary, can't wait to try this one, lol
Texas Tarragon
Indian Mint
Ambrosia
Flax
Fenugreek
Lemongrass
Borage
Cumin & Black Cumin
Lovage
Bronze Fennel & Basil Italian (ths Critter)
Sweet Basil
Chocolate mint, this might be a basil
Seame
Summer Savory
Steva, I was able to grow this from seed with success
Others growing in the herb garden, most are established
Comfrey
Chamomile
Hyssop
Russian Tarragon
Cilantro/ coriander
Tansy
Lemon Balm
Lemon Mint
Spearmint
Sage
Pinapple sage
Sorrel
Chives and garlic chives
Bloodroot
Wild Ginger
Thyme
Dill
Lavender
St. Johns Wort
Rue
Cayenne Pepper
Parsley
I grew Santolina , (Lavender Cotton) last year, I need to get another plant and save seeds.
Theres others that are flowers and can be used as herbs like the Echies, Lambs Ear,Calendula etc.
There is a couple I would like get started on the homestead is Ginseng and Black Cohosh , and I haven't search hard enough in our woods, might have em growin already : ).
My goal with the herbs is to make soaps, use in dying yarns, teas, cooking, medical, popourri's and just plain havin an herb garden to enjoy while I brush my hand through and smell all the great wonderfuls : )
Not to mention all the history and folklore of herbs.
Oh! I love the Cucumber posting, I will certainly be trying that one.
I have one of those "sprite" clusters, When we where saving seeds, we forgot to label the package so we just planted both together, We call it the 7up mix..lOl I forget about Sprite..
Maybe we should start a top 10 list of our favorite use's of Herbs. Along with the recipes.
(ok, I know that was a shameful way to get new ideas for recipes)LOL
LOL georgiag. Here's 3.
1. Eating in and on everything - One of my FAVS for rosemary is to cut and lift the skin off a salmon fillet leaving attached at the tail. Douse with lime juice and lay rosemary sprigs on the fillet then put the skin back down. Bake skin side up. YUMMY!!!! Bet it would be good with any kind of fish.
2. Stress relief - put lavender in a pretty bowl beside your monitor and fondle it at will. Both the texture and the scent is soooo relaxing. Summer savory in brushing pots by a path or door works great too.
3. Colour in the garden - silver sages are awesome
Oh my , I'm getting hungry, gotta try the salmon with the herbs, yum yum yum , great ideas for the other herbs too : )
oh and the Lime Cucumbers, oh boy
I like your idea georgiagarden3, favorite recipes using herbs : )
I think this thread is going to be a "classic," and I'm going to nominate it for inclusion in our resource sticky! It's a great first stop for people who want to grow herbs and aren't sure where to start or why... :-)
And if you haven't dropped by yet, please go over to these threads and share some of your favorite DG threads/articles for Terry to include on the sticky (go here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/696281/#new) and also some of your favorite non-DG herb resources (go here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/853397/). Thanks!
Oh I love this thread. :)
Critter, I think all these are great ideas for the sticky. The reason I haven't listed any so far is the DG ones have already been posted.
Here's a quick and easy recipe I posted over on the recipe forum way back that uses herbs.
Linguini with Tuna, Walnuts, and Herbs
¾ cup walnuts, chopped
1 lb. linguini ( i only use ½ lb.)
1 tsp or Just enough olive oil to coat the pan.
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 6-ounce cans tuna (I use 2 pouches Albacore tuna. No more canned tuna for us anymore!)
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
½ cup mixed chopped fresh herbs (i used a mixture of fresh lemon thyme, chives, italian parsley and oregano, but choose your favs)
toast the walnuts. i do it in the microwave. the directions say to do it in a small frying pan over moderately low heat, stirring frequently until golden brown (about 5 minutes). in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the linguini until just done, by pkg directions … drain.
meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over moderate heat and saute the garlic. Add the tuna and break up slightly with a fork. Add the lemon peel, lemon juice, salt and pepper; and stir until just heated through. Remove from heat. Toss the linguini with the tuna mixture, add herbs and the toasted walnuts.
serves 4. I promise you won't believe this recipe .. plus it's quick!.
~Susan
Drooooooooool 101. I'm making that tonight!!! My dried herbs will have to suffice cuz I must try it now!
Mrs Ed; have you ever tried cucumbers with mint?
Here I go back to Thai again, but there's a beef salad we like that has almost the same seasonings except we marinate the cukes and tomatoes with mint also.
I'll try to find the recipe. I didnt think I would like beef and mint together, but it was a surprising taste.
Mint would be good too. trying that nanniepb thanks.
Cucumbers with mint and yogurt. So greek. I love it too. Anything cucumber really. LOVE the cold cucumber soup.
Just an idea. I like this thread, but had a hard time because I grow some herbs for non-culinary uses. LIke the bronze fennel critter sent me for butterflies, borage also doubles as a deterrent for tomato worm, lavender for sachets, etc. So top 10 Non-culinary herbs would be something I'd like to see.
Love the cuke and salmon recipes!! Good idea to list more for the favorites.
Mrs_Ed, I like the idea of doing a separate thread for non-culinary herbs and uses of them, since it will take a different route into crafts and medicine rather than cooking and flavors Are you going to start that one?
I am a big tea drinker, so the herbs I always have in the garden are used for teas. I like lemon balm with mint, just plain chamomile with a bit 'o honey, peppermint, sage with rosemary or lemon basil, etc. I also like scented geraniums, but do not always find them every year. I need to grow from seed myself. They have many types of flavors!!
For food, there are some Mediterranean dishes I like with the others, especially spaghetti or Italian tomato sauces and pestos with pasta. I'll get some others to post.
Oh, I too would really enjoy having a thread devoted to non-culinary herbs. I've been wanting to branch out, but right now lavender, spearmint and chocolate mint are the only ones I have that I don't really cook with. I do use my spearmint in tea but don't care much for the chocolate mint except to run my hand through it when I'm in the garden. Lavender is my all-time favorite scent. I've made some simple potpourri's using different flowers and herbs from my garden, but I'd really love hearing what everyone else is doing. :)
~Susan
Have you tried the chocolate peppermint in hot tea or just a sprig in a cup of cocoa? I think ginger mint is my current favorite to drop in the bottom of a glass of ice water... :-)
Just be sure to Dmail me if your KYC spearmint ever gives out on you! :-)
Oh! I have a ginger mint growing, I may have to try it. I have 15 mints growing and I only use them to run my fingers through and enjoy the smell. LOL
I'm adding the Linguini with Tuna, Walnuts, and Herbs, to my grocery list. It sounds heavenly
Per a special request.... http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/854953/
P.s. Please don't blame me for the song, I couldn't find anything different..LOL
I love this one with fresh veggies
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup minced fresh chives
2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Assorted fresh vegetables
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with fresh vegetables
Tried 101's tuna lingini last night. OUTSTANDING!! Managed to get enough fresh oregano (and fresh chives of course) but my lemon thyme has alot of winter kill so used fresh bressingham thyme with some dried lemon thyme from last year. Added a little fresh mint too (I put mint in just about everything LOL) as well as the parsley. YUMMY!!!!
Note: My cat was beside me when I cut the oregano and spent an hour rolling in it :o I've never seen a cat react to oregano before. Go figure.
I know that critter is the expert, but later this summer I'm doing an article on culinary herbs.
One thing I will cover is compound butters. I LOVE to make these with all my herbs.
yum.
We've got a lot of experts! :-)
Compound butters... I'm looking forward to that! I keep doing the same thing, which is to stir pesto into butter. It's delicious, and it's easy (2 ice-cube sized lumps of pesto from the freezer are just right for a small tub of "Can't Believe It's Not Butter"), but I think I'm in a rut!
o I feel the pounds leaping on sigh. I luv butters :-
Well, Chive butter of course for potatoes.
Lemon zest and lemon/lime basil! Great on shrimp!
mmm. darn. I wish my garden would grow faster.
Sun dried tomato and italian basil. REALLY good.
Thanks for posting those site....they are keepers for sure.
oh yes.... on the compound butters. I've been salivating and dreaming about garlic chive butter, ever since I saw it on this thread. And the possibilities.
I'm not in a position to buy plants now, (not available locally and not in the budget @ $3.50ea plus) but I hate to buy 100 seeds now too. ( I've looked at 'Diane's seeds, but that's as far as I've checked )
If I buy seeds now, and sow just a few in a pot, can the seeds be saved till next year?
signed, impatient =)
lol stopppppppp you're killing me here. =)
Ive never made pesto before...when can I harvest my basil?
Yes if the seeds are dry and stored in a dark, cool place they will be good next year. Most of my herb seed is good for 3 years stored in the veggy bin in paper seed packs. After that I find the germination rate falls way off.