Three Easy, Herb-alicious Recipes
With all the green popping outside this time of year —the trees in leaf, the grass sprouting—I start to crave that fresh, green essence in my food too. There is no better way to make that happen than to bring on the fresh herbs. I encourage you to think of tender herbs—basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, dill, tarragon, etc—as more than just a garnish, but as a central ingredient. They not only add layers of lovely flavor, aroma, and color to dishes, they are also healthful, being especially rich in vitamin A and antioxidants. Here are three easy herb-alicious recipes to get you started. Enjoy!
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Basil Pesto
You can use pesto for so much more than just pasta. A dollop of it is like flavor magic, instantly transforming everyday ingredients with its herbaceous, savory essence. In Cinque Terre, Italy, where they are renowned for their pesto, they serve it spread generously on toast, for example. I can tell you first hand, it is unforgettably delicious that way. I personally always have a batch of pesto on hand–I freeze it in an ice cube tray then store the cubes in a freezer bag so I can grab one to thaw quickly whenever I want a pop of flavor. Click here for several more ideas for how to use pesto.
Herbed Green Pea Soup
Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post
This soup is so easy to make, and so flavorful and elegant, you simply must have it in your life. You can use fresh or frozen peas to make it, and it can be served hot or chilled, depending on your mood and the weather. This version is flavored with tarragon, parsley and chives, but feel free to play around with the herb combination depending on what you have on hand.
Orzo Garden Pilaf with Lemon and Herbs
Photo by Dixie D. Vereen for The Washington Post
This lovely, lemony pilaf is a two-for-one recipe that covers you for both the grain and vegetable parts of the meal. The whole-grain orzo pasta is cooked in a skillet until al dente with just enough broth to allow it to develop a luxurious, risotto-like texture. And a bounty of herbs and vegetables plus a fresh squeeze of lemon add a sumptuous vibrancy to the dish.
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