Help Please Herbs & Spices

Alwaysthebusybee

Hi,

I am wondering if any one can help me and if I have posted in the wrong place please can someone point me in the right direction?

I am just starting my journey along the oldstyle way and I am trying to take things back to basics. I have been building a good collection of recipes from the board but I am looking for some ideas with herbs.

My local butchers is really good and there is always a bargain or two, however the meats I tend to buy are pork steaks, beef steaks, chicken breasts etc and I usually have these grilled plain, in gravy or with a tomato based sauce . Does anyone have any marinades that they use to spice things up a little or can anyone give me tips on using herbs to make the meat more interesting.

Any help would be appreciated.

Many Thanks
ATBB

fairtrade

Try the following link - lots of ideas on the site.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Garlic-and-Herb-Marinade/MoreRecipesLikeThis.aspx

FatVonD

I rub chicken breasts with Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (and a little oil) before grilling, they're yummy and it lasts for ages.

You don't mention lamb but I marinade lamb chops in lemon juice and garlic, sprinkle with oregano and grill and if you shut your eyes you'd think you were i the mediterannean! (Still can't spell it though!)

Burridge60

Try Seasoned Pioneers website for ideas and herbs spices by post

Linda32

Well, I guess I'm rather boring and not very inventive, but I just use Mixed Herbs and Black Pepper.

I know your not looking for this, but I'll add that Mixed Herbs mixed with Mayo make a nice dip as well.

Penelope_Penguin

Alwaysthebusybee wrote: »

I am just starting my journey along the oldstyle way and I am trying to take things back to basics. I have been building a good collection of recipes from the board but I am looking for some ideas with herbs.

Have you tried growing your own fresh herbs? Parsley, basil, mint and chives are easy to grow, even if all you have is a window box

We have an existing thread to give you more ideas; I'll merge this later, to keep ideas together.

meritaten

herbs - I always have pots of basil and parsley on the kitchen windowsill - sometimes I sow mine from seed (35p a packet from Aldi) but sometimes buy the pot herbs from the supermarket.
dried herbs - sage is a must - lovely with pork and chicken and essential for faggots (I make my own). then there is mixed herbs - you can substitute this in most recipes!
I also like to have oregano for any italian recipes. I also keep dried sage and parsley as sometimes they work better than fresh (for instance in casseroles where the flavour is developed slowly).
essential spices are - paprika, chilli , nutmeg and cinnamon. but that depends on what you like to make most often.
and since buying the The takeaway secret - I have to have garlic and onion powder (or granules).
hope this helps!
I dont like the taste of coriander so dont use that.
forgot to mention mint!!! I dont use dried, but I do like the jars of mint, you can rub a little on lamb or make a sauce by adding vinegar and a little sugar or ............and this is my fave ..........add a good teaspoon of jar mint to a tablespoon of mayo for a really yummy dip!
and i grow mint in the garden so in the summer have lots of lovely fresh mint. the pot mint doesnt seem to have the same intensity of flavour of the jar mint - thats why i dont buy those.

Bella79

Nice one for chicken is a lemon cut in half, woster sauce,tomatoe ketchup,oil,thyme in a food bag add chicken and leave to marinade for a few hrs the tip into roasting tray with jucices , yummy

With pork i cook them in the oven with apples mustard powder onions and a little water, to make a lovely stock, then sometimes add cider and thicken with cornflour yum !

Alwaysthebusybee

Hi All – Thanks for your responses.

Fairtrade – I appreciate the link I have book marked it and I am in the process of putting some of my herbs in there for recipe ideas.

FatVonD – Thanks for that, I do eat lamb but my husband doesn’t – I will give this one a try whilst he is at work!

Burridge60 – Thanks for the website, I will look into it.

Linda32 – Thanks for that, at the moment I use mixed herbs with a tomato based sauce but will definitely be trying the dip out when my friends comes as I am always doing nachos and things.

Thanks for the link Penelope, I have grown mint in the past and aim to take up more home growing this year (I just need to keep my dog from digging them up!) I intend to start on my window sil with in the next couple months. At the moment I received a good collection from a friend for Christmas and some recipes to try with them.

I appreciate your response
ATBB

Alwaysthebusybee

meritaten wrote: »

dried herbs - sage is a must - lovely with pork and chicken and essential for faggots (I make my own). then there is mixed herbs - you can substitute this in most recipes!

Thanks Meritaten,

Please can you let me have the recipe for the faggots? The mint dip sounds yummy too!

My mum has a patch of mint in her garden so I can get some from her to start me off, I do like mint in with new potatoes

Alwaysthebusybee

Bella79 wrote: »

Nice one for chicken is a lemon cut in half, woster sauce,tomatoe ketchup,oil,thyme in a food bag add chicken and leave to marinade for a few hrs the tip into roasting tray with jucices , yummy

With pork i cook them in the oven with apples mustard powder onions and a little water, to make a lovely stock, then sometimes add cider and thicken with cornflour yum !

Sounds very nice, I will definately be giving them a try.