Herb Recipes

• Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the hot sun volatilizes fragrant oils.
• Sunlight destroys flavor so dry in dark, warm location.
• Hang bunches upside down, bound with a rubber band, or dry individual leaves & flowers on drying screens.

Can also use Cream Cheese):

• 1/3 cup fresh or 2 TBSP dried herb
• ½ cup butter or cream cheese
• Whirl in blender or food processor

Press into decorative shapes for individual servings or serve as a block adorned with edible flowers such as Pansies, Nasturtium, or Dianthus.

• 4-6 sprigs of fresh, washed herbs
• 3 cups white or red wine vinegar
• Cover tightly for 2-3 weeks to let flavor develop (alternatively you can boil herbs in vinegar and allow to cool to room temperature)
• Strain through cheesecloth
• Pour into a decorative bottle (makes a lovely gift!)

• 1 cup sea salt or kosher salt
• 4-8 TBSP dried, crushed herbs
• Place in a salt grinder

Herb salt adds such a flavor punch to dishes that you’ll find yourself using it in place of regular salt on everything! Also makes a great gift.

• 2 tsp. fresh or 1 tsp. dried herbs
• 6 ounces boiling water
• Steep for no longer than ten minutes (taste will get bitter if steeped too long)

Herbal teas are not only delicious but also are believed to have health-enhancing qualities. Chamomile tea is relaxing, Peppermint tea promotes digestive health, and Sage tea appears to provide cognitive benefits.

• 2 cups fruit juice (apple/white grape, etc.)
• ¼ cup dried herb (thyme, mint, rosemary or other)
• 3 TBSP lemon juice
• 3.5 cups sugar
• 1 pouch pectin

Boil juice / add herbs / let steep for 30 minutes / strain through cheesecloth lined colander / stir in lemon juice & sugar / boil / add pectin / return to rolling boil for 1 minute / remove from heart, skim off foam and pour into clean canning jars / heat process

• Pick fresh leaves/flowers early in the day
• Rinse & pat dry
• Whip egg whites
• Gently paint frothed egg whites on flowers or leaves with a small paintbrush
• Sprinkle with finely granulated sugar
• Place on waxed paper to dry for 24 hours

Can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks. Candied flowers & leaves make an elegant finishing touch to cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or ice cream.

• Dried leaves of fragrant herbs
• Dried colorful flowers (Gomphrena, Monarda, Strawflower, Yarrow, Roses)
• Orris Root as a fixative (absorbs essential oils and keeps them from evaporating)

Place potpourri in decorative bowls to add delicate fragrance to your home. To make sachets, place potpourri in small drawstring bags and tuck them into clothing drawers or hang them on hangers in closets.