Herbal "Earl Grey"

I found this recipe in a Reader Digest book. I think it tastes great on a cold rainy day:) I hope you like it too!


Herbal "Earl Grey"


1 tsp Black tea

3 tsp young fresh Bee Balm leaves

2 cups Boiling water


Place boiling water in teapot Infuse for 5 minutes. Strain before drinking.


You can substitue 1 tsp Hibiscus flower for the Bee Balm. (Yum!)

~Enjoy~

Using Herbs in your Home

I can't believe it is Friday all ready. This week has flown right by. I didn't get into the garden once this week it rained almost everyday. I have been reading many books about herbs which I really enjoy! I found a great article about keeping Herbal fragrance in your home. I have always been a big fan of sachets and Lavender bags. In the winter time it is nice to bring in Herbs that remind us of Spring or Summer. Since it has been raining I thought I would remind myself that Spring is right around the corner:)



Lavender Bags: These are small handmade bags made from scrap fabric, you can also use fancy lace this looks pretty. Cut out a shape and stitch leaving open a small hole to place your Herbs. (You should use dried herbs for this) You don't have to use only Lavender. You can use a mixture of herbs or just one Herb. Be creative! I have heard many people place them in their pillow cases for a dreamy sleep.



Herb Bundles: I love making Herb bundles:) You can use any herb wrapping your herbs together with string. ( you should use dried herbs for this) Lemon Balm works great! I place them dressers they make everything smell lemony fresh.



Potpourri: This is the most common way to use dried Herbs. I enjoy placing a handful of dried herbs in a beautiful bowl. Every once in a while you should crunch them up to keep there scent flowing.

~Happy Gardening~

House Keeping with Herbs

I really don't enjoy cleaning as much as I enjoy working in the garden but when I do clean I try to use many of my herbs. I really don't like using chemical household cleaning products they really are not good for you. Here is one way to use herbs in your home to clean with and you just might enjoy cleaning even more:) I know I do!



Rosemary disinfectant: Simmer Rosemary leaves and small stems for about 30 minutes in water. *Remember* The less water that you use the more concentrated this disinfectant will be. Strain the leaves and small stems. I place mine in a spray bottle clearly labeled. You can use this to clean the bathroom sink, bath tub, kitchen sink, etc. this will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.


**I sometimes add a little dish washing liquid for a little bit more scrubbing power

***Always test on a small spot to prevent a staining to a surface.


You can use many Herbs to make cleaning sprays. You can use Lavender, Sage, and Thyme. You can use the flower, stem and leaves.



I hope you try this Household cleaning spray. Let me know what herbs you use and how use them to clean your home.

~Happy Gardening~

Using Herbs to control Pests

There are so many ways to get rid of household pests. I personally use herbs as much as I can. Here are a few ways I control Pests.



Ants: Place sprigs of Pennyroyal, Rue or Tansy on shelves or in cupboards to deter ants. Crush the leaves occasionally to release more of their wonderful scent. Now this won't kill ants but encourages them to move along and not stay away.



Flies: There are many Herbs that deter flies such as Elder, Lavender, Mint, Mugwort, Peppermint, and Rue. Bundle them up and place or hang near windows.



Mice: Mint and Tansy will keep mice away. (Again no harm will come to them just deterring them away from your home)


Weevils: Placing a bay leaves in your flour bag or rice bin will prevent weevils.



I hope you try some of these idea's to prevent pests coming into your home. I try to find ways to use herbs in my home everyday. If you have any ideas I would love to hear them:)


~Happy Gardening~

Cooking with Herbs Part 1

I have many people ask me how to use Herbs in cooking. I want to show you a few ways to use Herbs in your everyday meals.


Herbs for soup:


Potato soup: You can add bay leaves, caraway, or parsley.



Tomato: You can add basil, dill, marjoram, oregano, tarragon, and thyme.



Pea: You can add basil, borage, dill, marjoram, mint(my favorite) , parsley, rosemary, savory, thyme.


Minestrone: You can add basil, rosemary, thyme.

**********************************************************************************
Herbs for Vegetables:


Artichokes: bay leaves, savory, tarragon


Carrots: chervil, parsley


Brussels sprouts: dill, sage, savory


Cabbage: borage, caraway, dill seed, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, savory, sweet cicely, thyme.


Cauilflower: chives, dill leaf and seed, fennel, rosemary.


Green beans: dill (yum) marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme.


Lentils: garlic, mint, parsley, savory, sorrel.


Mushrooms: basil, dill, lemon balm, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, salad burnet, savory, tarragon, thyme.


Here is a small list of soups and vegetables that you can add herbs to make a wonderful meal. You can mix and match when it comes to cooking with Herbs. Don't be afraid to try something new.




~Happy Gardening~

More Herbs and a Recipe

Today is going to be a rather warm day. It is suppose to be in the 60's. I am hoping to cut back all the dead leaves off my herbs. I am also going to try to get my new beds ready for planting hopefully in a few weeks? Our frost date is usually mid-May. I want to get a few new things planted. I often get too excited and then many things get killed off by a hard freeze. I am still learning patience:)


More Herbs for *2008 *


I grew Parsley last year and boy did it get big. I would love to grow more of it. I really enjoy cooking fish and adding fresh parsley. (Yum)


We have our garlic already planted it is looking great! We have used all that we dried for the winter. I am looking forward to fresh Garlic again.


Lemon Balm one of my very favorite herbs. I have a little that grew last year but it didn't seem to grow as well as I wanted. I am hoping to have a lot more of it this year. (Look for recipe below)


Dill I have never grown this wonderful herb. I am hoping to have a place for some this year. I have had dill on Salmon this is so good!


I have a wonderful recipe for Lemon Balm Cheesecake

Pastry

1 cup all purpose flour

pinch a salt

4 Tbsp margarine cut into small pieces

Filling (YUM)

4 Tbsp margarine

2 Tbsp Honey

12 oz cream cheese

2 eggs beaten

6 Tbsp very finely chopped Lemon Balm

Preheat Oven 400 F

For Pastry: Sift flour and salt into a bowl. Rub in the margarine until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Add enough water to make a soft dough. Roll out to line a 7-inch quiche (or baking pan). Bake unfilled for 15 minutes

For Filling: beat the margarine, honey and cream cheese together in a bowl until soft and creamy. Beat eggs and fold in the Lemon Balm. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 F

Pour the filling into the pastry shell. Bake 45 minutes until the filling is golden and set (keep an eye on this) Serve with fresh whipped cream. Yum!!


I really hope you try this recipe:)

I am so excited about this years Herb Garden. I really enjoy sharing mine with all of you. I hope you all are getting excited too! I would love to hear about what you all are growing.

~Happy Gardening~

I am Back...... Plans for 2008 and a recipe

Well I am back. The weather here in Ky is finally warming up a bit and I am thinking about Spring! I have many plans for my herb garden this year. We are also going to build a chicken coop which is very exciting. I am sorry about not replying to all the comments. I have been busy through the winter months. I am hoping to be able to comment on "new" comments. Thank you for all that comments and questions. I did read every one of them:)


I am hoping some of the herbs I grew last year will come back up this year. We will have to wait and see. We had really dry weather last summer I am not real sure what survived.


2008 plans for my Herb Garden


Basil (Italian) Did you know if you place a pot on your windowsill it help help deter deer flies.


Tarragon ( this one should be fun)


I would like to try Lavender (I will have to see if I can grow it by seed) or find some healthy plants. I have never grown Lavender so I am very excited to grow it!



I have Mint (Spearmint)growing and I am sure it will come back you can hardly ever kill mint:)


I did have Lemon Balm I will have to see how it comes back?


I hope my Cinnamon Basil made it. I just love this herb Yum! If you don't have this in your herb bed you should.


I would also like to try some Catnip. Did you know people can enjoy this herb too. Catnip contains vitamin C it is great to relieve colds and fevers. It can also be used to help with headaches and up-set stomachs. Let me know if you grow this wonderful herb:)


I also grew Oregano not sure if this one will come back but I hope so. I Love this on Pizza Yum!


Well I have a few more herbs to add but that will have to wait until next time. I wanted to give you a really great recipe that I enjoyed over the winter.


Rosemary Cheese Fingers:

4 tbsp butter

2 cups rolled oats

1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese grated (Buy the good stuff)

1 egg, beaten

1 tbsp chopped Rosemary (fresh is best)

pinch of cayenne

salt

Preheat oven 350

Melt butter in saucepan. Place remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix in the butter.

Press mixture into greased 8 inch square baking pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Cut into fingers or squares. This makes 12 slices. Just writing this recipe makes me want to make some YUM!!


I hope you enjoy this recipe. It is so good to be back blogging. I can't wait to write more about my garden and I can't wait to see what this year brings in my Herb Garden. Please send me your comments. I would love to know what kinds of herbs your growing and how you use them in your daily life.

~Happy Gardening