HERBS

Herbs are very handy to have growing in your garden and when you find the garden holds a glut, pick them and pop in zip lock bags in your freezer. I don't yet have a rosemary bush growing in our garden (a plant is currently on the window sill with a wonderful display of roots to go) but this rosemary came from the freezer when I made up a batch of Pumpkin & Haloumi muffins. We love to have rosemary handy too to pop on lamb to roast. Mmm!

In my garden I have yummy spring onions which when picking you collect the leaves only and they keep producing more.

Oregano in abundance. These herbs add flavour to soups, casseroles and plain eggs become a treat combined with cheese and herbs.

Time for some thyme. You need only to pick the stems, rub in your hands and you get the first release of fragrance before adding to your cooking.

Recently I have been making batches of soup. As soon as one is finished another is on the go. Soup is so easy to make and lends itself to filling you up when combined with a roll or just cake and coffee now that the weather is cooling off. 

Soup allows you to be creative. It can simply be made with 5 ingredients or much more. If you start with diced onion, carrot, garlic and ginger with a blob of butter in a saucepan. Get that simmering and pop the lid on to sweat while your prepare your other vegetables. Check your fridge and see what there is to use. The secret is in the seasoning. Chicken or beef stock for example along with salt, pepper, curry, herbs. Vegetables that combine well are pumpkin, sweet potato, cauliflower, broccoli etc. When cooked blend with hand blender or mash well and add cream when serving up. Delicious every time.

Along our main street the flower beds have new plants in them. Very pretty.

Hope my blog this week inspired you to plant some herbs or even make soup.

Bye for now ... Dot :-)