Eater's Digest Blog > Community Blog : Summer Herbs
Community Blog : Summer Herbs
July 16, 2009 | (7 comments) | Post a Comment
Ah the herbs of summer! If you have been relying solely on dried herbs throughout the year, perhaps now is the time to tuck those dusty jars and packets away and give fresh seasonal herbs a try. Fresh summer herbs — such as basil, cilantro (coriander), dill, lavender, mint, and tarragon can brighten up so many dishes from salads to marinades to baked goods.
To me, there is nothing like biting into a forkful of a Caprese salad, a simple Italian salad of fresh mozzarella, juicy, ripe tomatoes, and leaves of fresh basil, dressed up with a lashing of good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The aroma of fresh chopped cilantro or mint added to a marinade or sprinkled over vegetables is mouthwatering. Try stirring some freshly snipped dill or tarragon into your usual chicken or potato salad for a refreshingly light flavor. The lovely color and floral scent of lavender can give a unique lift to otherwise ordinary pound cakes or cookies and it is also delicious in lemonade.
Here is a sampling of summery recipes using fresh herbs
Basil Recipes
Italian Dipping Oil (for Bread)
Roasted Peppers With Basil
Tomato Basil Salad With Balsamic Dressing
Garden Corn Salad
Smoky Portabella Burger With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
Angel Hair Pasta With Basil & Tomatoes
Cilantro (aka Coriander) Recipes
Thai Grilled Chicken Thighs
The Bomb Burgers
Firecracker Sauce
Coriander Lemon Chicken
Grilled Chicken With Coriander/Cilantro Sauce
Savory Cilantro-Lime Fish Tacos
Fresh Fire-Roasted Tomatillo Salsa With Cilantro and Lime
Mint Recipes
Mint Limeade
Kofte Kebabs with Cucumber Mint Sauce
Asparagus With Lemon and Mint
Mint Tabbouli Salad
Cucumber-Mint Raita
Green Gazpacho (Spain)
Mint-Cilantro and Coconut Rice
Tarragon Recipes
Lemon-Tarragon Grilled Pork Chops
Lemon Tarragon Chicken Salad
Grilled Garlic Tarragon Lobster Tails
Pink Tarragon Cream Dressing
Tarragon Turkey Burgers
Penne With Chicken and Fresh Herb Sauce
Chicken and Vegetable Paninis With Tarragon Mayonnaise
Dill Recipes
Australian Four Herb Bread
Threadgill's Cottage Cheese Cucumber Salad
Lil Devils Deviled Eggs
Kristina's Potato Salad (Revised Moosewood Recipe)
Dilled Salmon Cakes
Cool-As-A-Cucumber Shrimp Sandwich
Brie, Fresh Herb, Tomato Omelet for 2
Lavender Recipes
Apple Lavender Muffins
Refreshing Lavender Cordial
Lavender Flan
Lavender and Honey Salad Dressing
Roasted Cauliflower, Lavender, Rosemary and Garlic
Lavender & Herb Poached Salmon
Lavender Blue Lemonade
Want some tips on gardening fresh summer herbs?
Take a wander down the garden path in the Herb Gardens & Windowsill Gardening, Protecting Basil from Predators and Cooking with Herbs.Meet our Blogger
For more info on HeatherFeather, check out her About Me page and also stop by her blog, Lavender Blue.
Comments
WOW! What a great, great topic, Heather! THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing all that wonderful information and those lovely looking recips with us! Ill save many of them for sure! Cant wait to get started using fresh herbs! Basil and sage are my favs. Also Id luv to try out cooking with lavender. Our dear French Tart has me inspired with all her lovely recipes and pics! 
Great topic! Kudos Heather, well done. I enjoyed reading and surfing all these recipes. Have found some I can't wait to try. I cook alot with fresh Cilantro,(one I cook alot is http://www.recipezaar.com/Cilantro-Lime-Chicken-308492) love Basil with tomatos and mozerrella! You've inspired me to try a few more too. Great photo of you my friend! Enjoyed your blog as well!!! 
HUGS ~V
Lalaloula - aww thanks /blush. Yes, French Tart and also Rita both have some really good lavender recipes. It makes everything smell so nice and it supposedly has a relaxing effect as well. When I lived in England, so many thinks were scented and flavored with florals, especially rose and lavender.
V - I love cilantro too, I sprinkle it onto almost anything. It goes so well with any spicy dishes, I think. I use it a lot when I make Indian foods or Southwestern/Mexican, and I also toss it in salads. Thanks for visiting my blog and for the kind words
Heather, You have my favorite topic. Love what you did here. I love growing many herbs and finding new herbs is always fun. Adorning food is always pretty and so very tasty. Do come visit the Magic of Herbs http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=308850&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 I hope to see you there.
I'm soooooo EXCITED! I love dill and cilantro!
Great article Heather!! This is also one of my favourite topics. I Love using fresh herbs in cooking and also in salads etc. I have a huge bunch of lavender that grows at the back of our cottage and every year I tell myself I am going to harvest it, but then the bees have such a good time with it, that I end up just leaving it for them!
Just stumbled across this - fantastic job Heather! I could not cook without herbs, and love my lavender as everyone knows.........and lovage, sorrel, borage, purslane etc etc LOL!!! Hello Rita and Loula :wave: More herby people here! Hope your move went okay and loved your blog! FT
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