Herbs we grow and use

We really enjoy using herbs in our cooking because they add so much flavour, and spices, too. We realised recently just how many herbs we grow - in part because we are not very good at foraging and it feels safer growing stuff that is labelled.  This is a bronze fennels whose fronds add delicious delicate flavours to fish.

Below L-R Basil, Oregano (paler green), Marjoram (darker green) in the same picture - they are closely related herbs/ plants -, and Vietnamese Coriander. 

These grow in our South Nattinghamshire gardenin England, UK, but some (Basil and Vietnamese Coriander) are tender and won't survive the winter outdoors

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

The well-known refrain from the folk song "Scarborough Fair".  Scarborough is a seaside town in North Yorkshire, England, UK. The song was sung to various melodies and appeared in 'Traditional Tunes' by Frank Kidson in 1891 who claimed to have collected it from Whitby. The famous melody was collected from Mark Anderson (1874–1953), a retired lead miner from Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, England, by Ewan MacColl in 1947. The song lists various impossible tasks to be given to a former lover who lives in Scarborough.

Parsley on the left, is used in many dishes

L-R below: Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

All are used in cooking meats in our household

What do we do with Herbs?

Dry them (sage, rosemary, bay (left), Savoury, or freeze them, too

Add them to stews (basil, Savoury (below left), marjoram, sage, tarragon (below right))

What do we do with Herbs

Add them to fish dishes (fennel, lemon verbena (left), tarragon, thyme)

Add them to drinks (lemon verbena, mint (see below), oregano) and to jams - lavender (see below centre), in our garden this year mixed in with some shallotts, also essential for giving flavours to food. The garlic (below right) grows profusely in our garden and is of East European origin. It, too, is essential for giving flavour to our cooking, although not a herb!