I’m not bragging, but I’m having a dream-like summer. This morning I woke up at 6:30, had some coffee, and went outside to inspect the garden. Now I’m sitting here wearing a scarf and a floral summer dress (I know). I’m remembering how the herbs I’ve grown from tiny buds I picked up at the hardware store or HEB are doing really well (aside from one coriander plant, which got me cocky), and I’m daydreaming about how I might use them.
It feels a little random to bring this up in an article about how to use summer herbs, but I have to add a little appreciation. I always wanted to be the person who drinks coffee in the garden. This summer, I finally asked myself the question that changed everything. Am I living my life? I realized that I didn’t just want to do it. Get used to it That person–I’m already morning That person. It’s just that I didn’t prioritize creating that opportunity. After preparing lots of leaf mold and spending a few weekends, I now have a thriving herb garden that I can stroll through on a leisurely summer morning. (We’ll talk about questionable vegetable and flower seeds another time.)
Whether you have a huge garden, a few herbs growing on your windowsill, a bunch of herbs at the farmers market, or an Instacart shopper who accidentally brought you 3 pounds of basil instead of 3 plants (truly nightmare fuel), there are countless delicious ways to put your fresh herbs to good use. Let’s talk about it.
Click here to learn how to use summer herbs My favorite creative ideas and recipes for putting all those twigs to good use before they wilt in the fridge (or take over your garden).
Creative ideas using summer herbs
even in front of me goddess of the garden I loved having fresh herbs on hand for my last meal for a few days something. Adding a little green can help you maximize your culinary potential, but it’s equally effective in cocktails, desserts, homemade gifts, and even around the house. Here are some unexpected ways I like to use herbs.
make herbal drinks
From lemonade to sparkling water to cocktails, herbs instantly elevate simple drinks. On the simplest days, mint sprigs and sliced ​​cucumbers soaked in water provide an instant refreshment. But basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, and lavender are all contenders and pair perfectly with a glass of summer fruit.
Freeze herbs in ice
This is also fun to do with kids or girlfriends. Freeze chopped herbs with water, citrus slices, or edible flowers to make truly stunning ice to dress up lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water.
Blend the blended butter
Butter is difficult to mix on its own, but why not mix it with chopped herbs, garlic, citrus zest, and flaky salt? This is heaven. While the butter is soft, roll it into bars and slice it into circles when you need it for grilled vegetables, steak, corn, or fresh bread.
Infuse with olive oil or vinegar
Soak rosemary, thyme, oregano, or basil in olive oil or white wine vinegar and use in homemade dressings and marinade recipes.
Dry or freeze herbs for later use
If your garden is overflowing with herbs, tie them into small bundles and hang them upside down to dry. Alternatively, chop them up and freeze them in ice cube trays lined with olive oil. You can have homemade herbs available long after summer is over.
Use herbs as centerpieces or place settings
One of my favorite tricks is to fill a simple jar with a bunch of basil, dill, rosemary, or mint instead of flowers. It smells incredible, looks effortlessly beautiful, and cuts quickly while cooking.
add herbs to desserts
Fresh herbs pair amazingly with berries, peaches, citrus, and cream. Think basil whipped cream, thyme shortcake, rosemary olive oil cake, and homemade chocolate ice cream with mint.
Make herbal syrup for cocktails
My favorite homemade cocktails start in the garden. Make a simple syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water and steeping a few fresh herbs. I love to put basil simple syrup in the fridge and blend it with frozen peaches and tequila, then top it off with sparkling water or bubbles for the ultimate summer cocktail.
Recipes to use up basil
If there’s an official flavor for summer, I name basil. Layered on sandwiches, tossed with tomatoes, stirred into pesto, sprinkled on pizza straight out of the oven, it’s an herb that somehow finds its way into almost every meal this time of year. If you grow your own basil, you know that basil has a habit of harvesting it faster than you can keep up with it. That’s exactly the problem I love.
Recipes to use up mint
Mint is the easiest herb to grow, but it may be the most difficult to suppress. Once they get going, they seem to multiply overnight. Fortunately, it’s as versatile as it is prolific. Besides mojitos, fresh mint adds brightness to salads, smoothies, desserts, fruit, and my favorite summer drink.
Recipes to use up dill
Dill has a way of making simple summer meals taste like a cozy little cafe. Its delicate, grassy flavor pairs beautifully with cucumbers, potatoes, seafood, yogurt, and creamy dips, making it one of my go-to herbs all season.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
