It's still not Spring here in Philadelphia. In fact, it's currently about 50 and rainy, but I've been pretending that Spring is here by planning my imaginary herb garden. Yes, my herb garden is sadly imaginary since I'm moving this year, but as a result, it's actually much greener, fragrant and exciting than any live herb garden I've ever grown for real (my thumb is not the greenest one out there). I mean, I love rosemary and mint as much as the next person, but I'm ready for a little more excitement! Here's what I'm thinking:
Chocolate Mint - I tasted this for the first time recently at a Farmer's Market, and it was delicious. The chocolate taste is slight, but definitely there, and I'll definitely be using it for imaginary iced tea, or even in cupcakes and baked goods.
Lemon Thyme - How easy it will be to make a roast chicken or even lemon-thyme frosting with these two ingredients already combined into one! Just kidding -- you apparently can't really count on it for a full lemon flavor, but it still works great for roasting anything, and for great fish and meat dishes as well.
Cuban Basil - The belle of my garden. After seeing/smelling how delightful these leaves are, I couldn't resist buying some for my mom for mother's day. Not so much into it? Check out this long list of interesting basil varieties here.
Lavender - Maybe this would be in my grandmother's garden too, but I just love the scent so much that it's going in my imaginary one as well.
Looking for more exciting herbs like juniper or fenugreek? Check out this list and these hints and tips. And if anyone has suggestions for additions to my imaginary garden, please share! It's imaginary, so no there are no limits!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-12-2008 @ 6:47PM
postindutrialist said...
This year I'm growing Russian Tarragon, wild thyme, rosemary, some varietal oregano, and was thinking of chives, but the local greenhouse was out. :S
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5-12-2008 @ 7:08PM
Julie said...
I grow herbs every year and keep them on my deck, they not only look beautiful and taste even better but I love the fragrance that they put in the air when there is a nice breeze.
I usually plant a variety of mint, chocolate, orange and spearmint. I use a great deal of basil so I plant dozens of plants to the point of looking like a giant basil bush, flat and curly leaf parsley, cilantro, chives, rosemary, thyme and lemon thyme, oregano and tarragon.
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5-12-2008 @ 9:37PM
Thomas Beagle said...
Lemon thyme works brilliantly in scrambled eggs. The flavour is delicate enough to complement rather than overwhelm the eggs. Just throw a few leaves in while it's cooking.
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5-13-2008 @ 7:41AM
Ann Collins said...
Mexican mint marigold(Texas tarragon or Mexican tarragon) is another wonderful herb.It is really good in a variety of dishes ,especially potatoes and eggs,also.It dies back during the winter but starts growing again as the weather warms(here in Eastern North Carolina).
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