Wednesday 16 February 2011

MY FIRST POST

Herbs For Cooking

I have been wanting to do a cooking blog for sometime now but never really got round to it.  That is about to change.  Today 16th Febuary 2010 I am going to start.  I have grown up with cooking.  My dad was a chef and he had his own restaurant in Spain where he lived for some time.  Keith Floyd used to go to his restaurant.  I always used to be in the kitchen with my dad but I never took an active roll in cooking until after he died.  Isnt that always the way?  I did a hotel and catering course but even then it wasnt until my Fiance and I got our own house 3 years ago that I started cooking.  I discovered I loved cooking and baking also.  I feel that my dad is close when in the kitchen especially when cooking my favourite meal Spaghetti Bolognaise.  Yum.  Today I am going to go over some of the herbs that I use.  I love to use herbs and have a nice collection building up.  I also have a few fresh ones growing in my garden.


  1. Basil, very good for fish, and vegetable dishes.  I love basil in just about anything.  Fresh basil and tomatoes make a great mix

  2. Rosemary.  I have this fresh and dried.  I love to use it on meat, and in casseroles

  3. Coriander.  I think this is one of my favourite herbs.  It smells lovely and again I love to use it casseroles and spaghetti bolagnaise.

  4. Garlic.  An essential herb that I use in spaghetti bolagnaise and pasta dishes.

  5. Dill.  I like dill in casseroles and vegetable dishes.

  6. Thyme. Again in casseroles and pasta and also meat dishes

  7. mixed spice.  A great general herb mix
Sea salt and Pepper.  I add these into almost anything but only lightly.

I am very intuitive with my use of herbs.  I dont tend to measure exactly the amount I need.  I taste to see if I have enough or need more.  Remember to add herbs little by little.  It's easy to put them in but not so easy to take them out. 




13 comments:

  1. Great blog!!! I am not a very good cook, but maybe if I follow your blog I will get better:) Love the story about your Dad and feeling close to him when you cook. Dads are the best!

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  2. hi sara! your dad would be so happy for you... for your love of cooking & sharing it with the world. (o: thanks for the helpful info about herbs! i like the sweet picture of the kitty (at the top of your page) getting ready to help in the kitchen! thanks for stopping by my blog, sara... and have a great day!

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  3. Hi Sara! Thank you so much for visiting me for my first Pink Saturday blog. I have a little herb garden just outside my back porch. It is truly "my pet". Nothing like stepping outside and snipping an herb to add to my cooking. Just tonight I was sniffing my lemon thyme and just enjoying it's fabulous scent! Good luck with all of your cooking creations!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  4. Nice to meet you Sara! Basil is my most favorite herb of all!! I love it with pasta,and tomatoes!! YUMM!!
    Blessings~

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  5. I'm with Sandi! I love fresh Basil! I could put it in everything, but really love it in just a tomato, basil, mozzarella salad. Sprinkle with GOOD olive oil, s & p and voila!
    But then there are the bazillion of pasta dishes that you just must have basil for.
    You know what i love to do with fresh Rosemary? In the winter, cut a fresh bundle and add it to the fire in the fireplace. the WHOLE house smells WONDERFUL!
    MY other favorite herb is cilantro (coriander). I put it in anything Mexican! Salsa, on the meat as I am cooking them for tacos or whatever, and in salads. YUMMY!
    So how was the wedding? PICTURES GIRL!!!! I want to see!
    :) Karen ~ Some days are diamonds

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  6. Sara,I am following you back! I just made some dill rolls today that I will post soon, hope I don't eat the whole batch! I have been wanting to since my dill is going crazy in the garden and it has cooled down with a little cloudy weather so today was the day.

    I also have been making some herbed olive oils that I am going to post too. Unfortunately, my brain runs faster than days to post! I made a garlic basil olive oil that was incredible on crusty bread. I think basil and rosemary are my all time favorites. So nice to meet you. Come visit again soon.

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  7. Super lovely post!! Beautiful!!
    Lovely to meet you! and thanks for visiting me!
    Have a sparkling night
    ~Victoria~

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  8. I Love your post..I personally needed to know what herbs go with what foods...Thanks so much.
    Thank you so much for your comment on my blog.
    I will see more of you soon.

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  9. Sara...Hi...it's Genie...and I wish I was in the Ubited Kingdom instead of VA...ah...such is life! Love your blog and am now a follower. Any British gal who loves to cook while listening to classical music is my kind of lass. Thanks for the visit, and please come back to see me. XOXOXO Genie

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  10. Oh, I love the idea of a cooking blog. You live in such a charming part of the world. Such a great and interesting post.

    Karen

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  11. LOVELY Blog you have :)
    and do not miss

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    WELCOME :)
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  12. Hi Sara thanks for the visit! and I'm looking forward to you sharing your cooking know how. I like your run down on the spices. TFS!!!

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  13. I love this post and I love herbs. Thank you so much for the follow. It is a pleasure to meet you. Mina

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