Community Corner
Herbs : Take the Thyme to Add Flavor Without Calories
Dig in for a March 10 do-it-yourself plant-and-take herb garden seminar. Then get cookin'!
Quick! What’s the best way to add flavor to a dish without adding calories? Throw in some herbs.
“Health-conscious cooks like that herbs contain no calories or fat — pretty valuable to those on weight-loss diets,” said Chef Pete Loren, director of Culinary Development at in Troy and Clinton Township. “Doctors even recommend the use of herbs and spices in salt-restricted diets to enhance flavor without adding sodium content,” he added.
Whether dieting or not, fresh herbs can take a meal from ho-hum to haute in seconds.
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Loren believes that adventurous cooks find that raising their own herbs can be quite fulfilling as a hobby with the end results in cooking an added bonus.
These days, it’s easy to find fresh herbs in pots for sale at a variety of gourmet grocery stores. It’s also fun to plant your own.
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Not sure where to begin? Take some, well, “thyme” to visit the free in-store presentation, “ABC’s of Growing Herbs,” at 1 p.m., March 10 at any of seven metro Detroit stores including the Brighton location on Grand River.
Or find a seat at the “Make It & Take It” workshop, which follows at 2:30 p.m. For $19.99, participates can select any of four herbs (basil, parsley, rosemary and thyme) to plant in a stylish container.
“We'll provide everything you need to make a take-home herb garden,” said English Gardens’ Jennifer Youngquest.
Herb tastes, tips and trivia from Chef Pete Loren
• BIG ON BASIL The biggest-selling fresh herb at Nino Salvaggio is basil, said Chef Loren, “with parsley being second but not even close."
• EASY DOES IT Herbs should be used to enhance food’s natural flavors, rather than to dominate them.
• STORE IF YOU MUST Since the flavor and aroma of herbs deteriorate quickly after picking, be prepared to use them immediately. If you must store them for a few hours, keep them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag that is perforated and can breathe. When you are ready to use them, wash the herbs gently under cool, but not cold water and pat dry between paper towels.
• FREEZE FRAME Freezing fresh herbs is an easy way to store them for longer periods of time. Clean the herbs delicately, blot them dry, and remove leaves from the stalks. You can freeze them whole or chopped, packing into freezer safe bags or airtight containers.
