Modern Health - Add flavour to your food with these healthy and fresh herbs

I’ve put together a list of delicious, fresh herbs that can really boost the flavour of your salads, dressings and marinades, plus various other foods.

Basil – is amazing with tomato, Italian caprese salads, mild cheeses such as mozzarella and spicy flavours

Cilantro – Cilantro is for me the confusing herb because it comes from the coriander herb plant and has two names. It has a strong almost citrus like flavour that you either love or hate. It goes well with Mexican cuisine as well as other Latin and Indian cuisine. Cilantro is brilliant with avocado, red onion and chili peppers and in Asian shrimp dishes

Chives – Chives are one of my favourite summer herbs. I uses them to replace green onions. They have a mild onion flavour and well with baked potatoes, in potato salads and love them in a Turkish cucumber and tomato salad.

Dill – Dill is delicious with feta cheese and cucumbers and can be overpowering if too much is used. It works brilliant in spring salads and with asparagus and peas. It is most delicious in homemade salad dressings

Lemon Balm – is a mild member of the mint family. It grows like crazy in herb gardens and has a gentle lemony flavour. It is great put directly in a cup with boiling water for a relaxing cup of tea before bed. In dressings it works well with fruit salads because of the lemony flavour

Mint – is a popular Middle Eastern ingredient in salads. It is delicious with citrus, salty cheeses such as feta and with the gentle flavour of cucumbers. And of course it is great to make fresh mint tea and ok mojitos.

Parsley – Parsley is the best in the spring when it is young and fresh with an almost celery-like flavour with a slight bitterness. It is tasty in potato and pasta dishes and most yummy in grain salads such as pairing with quinoa in a tabolea. 

Tarragon – Tarragon has an almost licorice flavour and pairs well with chicken, carrots, shallots and yummy with mustard in salad dressing

Thyme – Thyme has a spicy taste with a bit of sweetness. It goes well with chicken, marinated olives and amazing when marinating poultry

Tarragon Salad Dressing

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon minced chives

• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

Try this with salad greens and grilled chicken for an easy summer dinner

Herb Salad Dressing (you can also substitute as a marinade)

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• C1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano,

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

This is brilliant with a salad with tomatoes and cucumbers