Thursday, July 24, 2014

Food for Thought : Herbs and spices

Looking to add a little flavor without a lot of calories or sodium? Add some fresh herbs and spices. Herbs can boost the flavor to your favorite dishes without adding salt and many herbs contain disease-fighting antioxidants.
Here are some tips:



Basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs. Sweet basil is used in salads, sandwiches and soups. Try a simple summer salad made with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil and olive oil, or add basil to tomato soup for a light meal.



Mint is a very versatile herb and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It is often used in fruit and vegetable salads. You can also try adding mint to ice cream, tea, peas, carrots or meats.



Rosemary is one of the most aromatic herbs you can find. It has a very distinct lemon-pine flavor and pairs well with many foods. Try rosemary with summer vegetables such as zucchini and squash, as an addition to tomato sauce or pizza, and in marinades for chicken and beef.
Cilantro is an herb that is typically used in Mexican, Latin America, Asian and Indian cuisines. It is best served fresh by adding to a dish just before serving. It makes a great addition to your favorite salsa. It also works very well with other dishes such as summer salads, fruit salads and sweet potatoes.



Words of Wisdom :
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim; accept no ones definition of your life; define yourself."-

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way."

In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover."

"The world we are experiencing today is the result of our collective consciousness, and if we want a new world, each of us must start taking responsibility for helping create it."

A proud Grandpoppa G.

Watch the little Hummingbird flying from flower to flower .
  



 



12 comments:

  1. Greetings HB,
    I love the post on herbs. I think pretty much all cooks are very interested in the proper use of herbs. And there is such a wide range of them. Your words of wisdom are wonderful. I am always impressed by just how wise you are. I hope you are in good health and full of mischief, as usual.
    Love and a bear hug
    Butterfly

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    1. Greeting my lady,
      So glad you enjoyed my herb post , I took the pictures . Yes there is a large range of them and I bet we have most of them here , some we keep cut back to use as house plants during the winter and the rest we put in the hot house for the winter . It pleases me that you like my words of wisdom . Not wise , just common sense , I think I am in the best of health and yes I will always be full of mischief .
      Love and a bear hug back at you .
      HB

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  2. Poppa , you did a good post , we like all your herbs and spice the mint smell so good at the front door and so good on mama and mama patios . mama put mint on one side and rosemary on the other side in the foyer . Poppa , you better hide mama is on the warpath about her plants being move and no one ask her . Mama is so funny , mama know who did it she saw your post . We told daddy you got his have a nice day , we showed it to him and he smile and said nice touch . Poppa daddy is going to Reno and we ask could we go and he said of course and he said we will take the rolling house . we do not know when , poppa can you find out when . Mama do not know . we love you poppa and where did you hide the butter cake .
    Wrote by Sha

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    1. My precious Cubs ,
      It means a lot to me for you to read my post and comment without anyone telling you . Yes the mint do smell nice and makes everything smell fresh . I will tell your mama that Man did it , Ask Eloise , I think she put it in the cake cabinet . I am happy we are going to Reno , you for fun and your daddy for business . (laughing my butt off) with all the cubs , he will indeed have to take the rolling house . I am not sure , but soon m your Uncle Chris is taking his rolling house and Mac will take the Limo , do not know the seating arrangements , same as last year I guess.
      Loving Poppa

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  3. Dad ,
    What a lovely post , I always love the topics you choose for your post . You have a style all your own . I like the have a great day also and think I will use it sometime . LA has a lot of cute things he puts at the end of his emails and some not so cute , like the one he drew of the horses' butt that he put at the bottom with a person he's not please with Hahahaha!!! I laugh when I see the horse move his butt , he is so bad .
    Thank you Dad for just being you .
    Your only daughter

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    1. Hi Daughter ,
      Thank you daughter , I get a lot of my ideas from watching and listening to you . I like the one with the horse . I heard from Jeb that when Human Recourses learned he was coming to shake it up , he said they are shaping up and scared as hell .
      I love you my daughter and anything I can do .
      Dad

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  4. I love all the herbs you mention here! They add lots of flavor to our food!

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    1. My dear Ms. Nellie ,
      I bet you are a good cook , I always enjoy your visits ,

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  5. Grandpoppa G.
    An interesting post , I showed it to my wife (Kathy) , she was reading a comment from the cubs , wrote by Sha , your grandkids I am sure . Kathy told me to ask , if your daughter grow them in the house like house plants and if so would you do a post on them .
    I like the scent of mint , I bet it makes the house smell good , Kathy cooks with rosemary and some other stuff . I am going to try the beer can chicken this weekend .
    Grandpoppa G. I like your sense of humor . I will also say to you "Have a great day' that's a nice added touch .
    Ardis Whittin

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    1. Ardis , my man
      Glad you liked my post and that your dear wife enjoyed reading the Cubs comments , Guilty , yes they are mine m I live with them but they comments like I am across town (laughing my butt off).
      My daughter bring some in the house for house plants and the rest she puts in the hot house for winter . Tell Kathy I will be happy to do a post , my pleasure , need some ideas on what you and others want to read about .
      The beer can chicken is a great dish , I would marinate it in rosemary with cilantro over night, marinating any meats for grilling overnight makes the flavor more intense and favorable .
      Thanks for liking my sense of humor , I think humor is what got me through the tough time . Have a great day will be used more often .
      G.

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  6. Dad,
    Do this job have a health plan ? And to you 'Sir' have a great day !
    Your humble son

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  7. Son ,
    No health plan . Are you offering a job with a health plan . I will take it with no questions asked .
    Your not so humble dad/

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Come on in , set awhile and have a cup of tea and cookies , as always you are welcome .