When my husband and I moved into our house almost twenty years ago now, our small assortment of herbs and spices went into a cabinet that obviously, by its pungent odors, has been used by the previous owner for storing their herbs and spices. Our collection included iodized table salt, ground black pepper, “Italian seasoning” (a blend of oregano, marjoram, thyme, basic, rosemary, and sage), and dried oregano. Since then, our spice cabinet has grown as we’ve tried new foods and recipes in my effort to lose weight and eat for good health.
My herb and spice education came from using cookbooks that emphasized healthy cooking techniques and recipes without butter, and salt, and more interesting and healthy herbs and spices. I learned that adding herbs and spices is a great way to add flavor and to increase the health benefits as well as taste satisfaction of meals.
I then got into growing herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, mint, basil, parsley, and cilantro, which was easy to do and very satisfying. I loved teaching my son how to identify the plants and cut some of this or that in order to prep dinner.
As I started eating more vegetarian dishes, I branched out into other herbs and spices such as cumin, allspice, coriander, turmeric, and mustard seed.
Here are a few favorite summer combinations using some of these herbs and spices:
• Black beans, diced tomato, organic non-GMO corn kernels, chopped cilantro, cumin, lime juice.
• Green sun tea with mint and lemon (or berries, or other fruit)
• Small cubes of watermelon, a bit of feta (or black olives if you avoid dairy) mint, black pepper, touch of olive oil, mixed with arugula
• Quinoa with chopped cucumber, avocado, scallions, and oregano
• Green smoothie for breakfast with turmeric
What are some of your favorite combinations using herbs and spices?