One of the best way to save money on organic and natural foods is to grow your own and start a kitchen garden. Herbs are a great way to get started. Fresh herbs are the glorious green essentials for enhancing the taste, appearance and aroma of food and have the ability to transform an ordinary dish into a gourmet delicacy in a few dashes; that’s not to mention the number of health benefits packed into these leafy flavours especially if they are grown under your personal supervision. Available at a pocket friendly cost starting from Dh6, it would be nice to garnish your favourite dishes with some self-grown tasty kitchen herbs.
Saresa Anthonissen, the creative director of Dubai Garden Centre, gives us tips on a few herbs that you can grow in your kitchen along with its culinary uses for the food lovers and their health benefits for the fitness conscious.
Cilantro
Also known as Coriander leaf or Chinese Parseley, Cilantro is commonly found in Mexican, Chinese, South-east Asian and Indian Cuisine. One of the most versatile plant, Cilantro adds a distinctive flavor to soups, stews, salads, vegetables, fish and chicken dishes. The entire plant is edible. Enjoy the leaves as a garnish to any dish, the brown seeds (coriander seeds) add a warm spicy flavor to chicken and vegetables and the roots can be added to soups and stir-fries. A revitalizing herb, it is known to have a positive impact on blood sugar, reducing stress on the liver and pancreas which promote better production of insulin as well as improved digestion.
Growing tips: To ensure success, it is usually best to start with healthy plants rather than seeds. Allow the plant to re-sow from the coriander seeds that drop from the harvested plant to continue growing throughout the season. Remember to keep your Cilantro tidy. Clean up any dried leaves or other debris from around the plant to prevent fungal infections in the plant.
Oregano
An Italian favorite, oregano is great on pizzas, pasta, or on grilled meats and seafood. It tastes best dried and also contains large amounts of antioxidants thus adding a sprinkle of wellness to your diet. Its oils can be used to treat fungal infections, joint pains and muscle aches.
Growing tip: The oregano plant will thrive best when placed near your kitchen window as they require the morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Also ensure that you remove any flower buds before they open as some of the flavor from the leaves is lost after the plant flowers.
Basil
Basil: This herb is popularly used in Indian, Thai as well as International cuisines and is sure to add lively colour to your kitchen garden with its bright green foliage. It is also considered the “royal herb” by culinary experts as it is a great addition to any recipe. Chop the leaves or use them whole as a showy garnish. Health wise they are rich in antioxidants, helps to control blood pressure and ensure oxygen carrying capacity in the blood.
Growing tips: To harvest fresh leaves from your plant throughout the year, be sure to remove the flower stalks from mature growth as and when they appear as much of the flavor is lost after the plant flowers.
Lemon Balm
As the name suggests, the lemon balm with its citrus flavor is a refreshing addition to lemonades, teas, salads, fish and poultry dishes. A member of the mint family of herbs, lemon balm offers several health benefits and is known to naturally ease nerve and muscle tension. When ingested it helps relieve gas, indigestion, cramping, stomach upsets.
Growing Tip: This low maintenance herb is happiest in a well-drained soil pot with partial or full sunlight.
Peppermint
Peppermint: This herb is a healthy addition to all beverages, desserts and is the prefect summertime refreshment. Credited with a number of health benefits, peppermint is used as a herbal remedy to cure sinus congestions, digestion issues and soothe headaches.
Growing Tip: This herb is strong, resilient, quick and easy to grow in just about any space. It is suggested that you consider planting them in fancy colourful pots or containers to contrast its bright green leave and curtail its unruly growth.
