Herbs

Curled parsley has beautiful, dark green leaves well known as the classic garnish for deviled eggs and an ingredient in tabbouleh (parsley salad) or white clam sauce for pasta. However, it has many more uses. Hardy through zones 7 and warmer, it is a great winter garden plant and looks beautiful in containers with pansies or other winter color. It is also a favorite food of the black swallowtail caterpillar, so you can plant extra to attract these beautiful butterflies to your garden.

sourced:http://bonnieplants.com/products/herbs/curled-parsley

Fennel is crunchy and slightly sweet, adding a refreshing contribution to the ever popular Mediterranean cuisine. Most often associated with Italian cooking, be sure to add this to your selection of fresh vegetables from the autumn through early spring when it is readily available and at its best.

Fennel is composed of a white or pale green bulb from which closely superimposed stalks are arranged. The stalks are topped with feathery green leaves near which flowers grow and produce fennel seeds. The bulb, stalk, leaves and seeds are all edible. Fennel belongs to the Umbellifereae family and is therefore closely related to parsley, carrots, dill and coriander.

Sourced: http://www.whfoods.com/index.php

Basil is a highly fragrant plant whose leaves are used as a seasoning herb for many different types of foods. Basil has become one of the most recognizable herbs ever since pesto, the mixture of basil, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, has become popular.

Basil has round leaves that are oftentimes pointed. They are green in color, although some varieties feature hints of red or purple. Basil looks a little like peppermint, which is not surprising since they belong to the same plant family.

There are more than 60 varieties of basil, all of which differ somewhat in appearance and taste. While the taste of sweet basil is bright and pungent, other varieties also offer unique tastes: lemon basil, anise basil and cinnamon basil all have flavors that subtly reflect their name. The scientific name for basil is Ocimum basilicum.

Mint                                                                       Dill

Fennel                                                                    Cilantro

   

Curled Parsley                                             Basil

Italian Parsley

 

Storage

Whenever possible, choose fresh herbs over the dried form of the herb since it is superior in flavor. The leaves of fresh herbs should look vibrant and be deep green in color. They should be free from darks spots or yellowing.

Even through dried herbs and spices like basil are widely available in supermarkets, you may want to explore the local spice stores in your area. Oftentimes, these stores feature an expansive selection of dried herbs and spices that are of superior quality and freshness compared to those offered in regular markets. Just like with other dried herbs, when purchasing dried basil, try to select organically grown herbs since this will give you more assurance that it has not been irradiated (among other potential adverse effects, irradiating herbs may lead to a significant decrease in its vitamin C and carotenoid content.)

Fresh herbs should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel. It may also be frozen, either whole or chopped, in airtight containers. Alternatively, you can freeze the hebs in ice cube trays covered with either water or stock that can be added when preparing soups or stews. Dried herbs should be kept in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place where it will keep fresh for about six months.

Preparation & Cooking Tips

Oftentimes recipes will specify the use of flat-leaf or Italian parsley. Can you substitute curly leaves for flat, and vice versa? What's the difference beyond appearance? Used to perk up dishes with its fresh green flavor and color, parsley can be much more than a garnish. The two main cultivars of this herb are curly parsley (Petroselinum crispum) with ruffled leaves and Italian parsley (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum) with flat leaves.

In general, flat-leaf parsley has a more robust flavor, while the curly variety is associated with decoration. Some claim that curly-leaf parsley has no flavor or, conversely, that it tastes more bitter, but it really depends on the particular plant, its growing conditions, and age. Both kinds of parsley may be used in cooking and when substituting one for the other, taste to determine the flavor and adjust as desired. Think, too, about the texture that would work best in your dish.

Finally, don't discard the stems, which have a stronger flavor than the leaves and can be used in a bouquet garni and added to homemade stock or a pot of beans.

sourced: http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-flat-leaf-curly-leaf-parsley-175565

Curly
Tabbouleh: The classic Lebanese salad of minced parsley, bulgur, and tomatoes.

 

Bouquet garni: Tie 3 sprigs parsley, 3 sprigs thyme, and 1 bay leaf together with kitchen twine and toss it into a stockpot to add flavor.

Garnish: There’s a reason why this tried-and-true flourish lives on: The sprigs add a fresh look to any platter or roast.

sourced: http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/in-defense-of-curly-parsley-and-3-ways-to-use-it

Nutrition

The nutritious leaves are high in iron and in vitamins A, C, and E. The high chlorophyll content makes it a natural breath sweetener, to