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Cooking With Plants

Family, aromatic herbs or spices have been cultivated since ancient times, valued for both their culinary and medicinal uses due to their multitude of health benefits. These plants take up little space, are easy to maintain, and, besides adding a decorative touch, infuse the environment with a fresh and natural fragrance.

Generally, they thrive indoors with plenty of light, making them ideal for having in the kitchen, in small pots on a windowsill or near it, ensuring a year-round supply of fresh herbs for your dishes—imagine how delightful it is.

They are straightforward to care for, perfect for those taking their first steps in gardening. A couple of tips will see them through. It's crucial that they have good drainage and don't get waterlogged, receive ample sunlight (though not direct), and are protected from drafts.

As for their use, using them fresh is often preferable, picked directly from the plant to preserve their full aroma. If that's not an option, and you have to use dried herbs, keep in mind that the aroma and taste of many can change quite a bit when dried. In many cases, you might need to add more quantity to maintain the same flavor in your dish.

You can use them chopped, in a bouquet mixing various kinds, or make herb-infused oil. For the oil, simply choose the flavor you want, include it in a glass bottle with a tight seal, olive oil, and your chosen herbs, then let it rest for a minimum of two weeks. This way, you'll have an infused oil ready to use whenever you want. It's common to do this with rosemary, perfect for salads and meat dishes.

I want to mention that preserving aromatic herbs is easy. You can leave the stems in water or in a plastic bag in the fridge for short-term use. If you prefer to dry them, hang them in a dry place and store them in airtight jars. You can also freeze them directly or in ice cube trays with a bit of water to add to stews without thawing. Remember to use them in moderation, as they should enhance the flavor of food without overpowering it a healthy alternative to salt for those with hypertension.

In addition to their aromatic properties, herbs often have health benefits and have been used as natural remedies for many conditions, with some being quite effective. For example, parsley is rich in minerals and vitamins A and C, basil contains an anti-inflammatory agent, rosemary is good for memory, fennel for gas, thyme for coughs, and virtually all of them have digestive properties, aiding in better digestion.

Aromatic plants bring us nothing but advantages in our lives, enhancing decor, gastronomy, and medicine. So, go ahead, and bring aromatic plants into your life. What are you going to plant?