Using Fresh Herbs for Summer Drinks, Salads, and Grilling
Using Fresh Herbs for Summer Drinks, Salads, and Grilling
What do mint ice cream, pesto, and dill pickles have in common? They get their alluring flavor from fresh herbs. The same holds true for chimichurri sauce, cilantro chutney, and chive dip. If you want to add some zip and zing to your picnics, pool parties, and backyard barbecues, why not reach for the low-cal, antioxidant-rich flavor boosters? We bring many of our herbs in from Shenandoah Growers who supply us with non-gmo, organic organic herbs all year round!
Here are some delicious ways to incorporate these fresh herbs into your summer menu...
Drinks
The dog days of summer are upon us – time to increase the flow of mock-tails, cocktails, and other thirst-quenching drinks. We suggest you add an herby twist this go around. For example, you can flavor iced tea with sprigs of cooling mint with this recipe from the Food Network. Try sweetening lemonade with a simple syrup infused with thyme, rosemary, or oregano instead of sugar. Any cilantro fans in the house? Enliven a pitcher of Bloody Mary with a dusting of herb, finely chopped. And there’s plenty of mint to go around so stir up a batch of refreshing mojitos.
Salads
Leafy basil and juicy summer tomatoes pair perfectly – like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Bring the dynamic duo to your outdoor gatherings with this simple, ready-made Caprese Salad from our own HarvesTime Kitchen! We make ours daily using our favorite imported Greek Olive Oil. Try making these portable, kid-friendly Caprese Salad Kabobs from Taste of Home – because everything tastes better on a stick. This nutrient-rich Tabbouleh Salad from The Mediterreanean Dish features another great flavor combo: parsley and mint. Looking for other ways to use your fresh herb bouquet? Add a burst of flavor to summer salads with money-saving, do-it-yourself dressings. Whip up this light and lovely Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette or this Fresh Chive Vinaigrette from Bon Appétit.
Grilling
Rosemary, thyme, and oregano pair well with proteins and hold up to heat, which makes them great for grilling. Use them in marinades for dishes like Epicurious’ Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops or Food and Wine’s Grilled Chicken Breasts with Thyme and Lemon. Look for an easier option? Finely mince the hearty herbs and mix them into a pre-made barbecue sauce.
Shop That’s Tasty Organic, non GMO Herbs
Basil
Bay Leaves
Mint
Rosemary
Tarragon
Thyme
