Chef

by Katy Bowen, MS, RDN, LD
Community Outreach Director, CHEF

Looking for a way to add flavor to your food without adding salt? Try starting an herb garden this spring! You can grow your herbs in containers or plant them in the ground. Start by purchasing seedlings or full-grown plants at your local nursery or garden center. Herbs such as Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, Mint, and Thyme have a wonderful aroma and great flavor. Feeling crafty? Liven up your garden with herb markers by painting the name of each herb on a rock, so you don’t forget which herb is which. Garden Tip: To preserve water during our hot Texas summers, add compost around your plantings to help keep in moisture, so you don’t have to water as often.

Once your herb garden is planted, you can add fresh or dried Rosemary to baked chicken for added flavor. Instead of adding sugar to your tea, try grinding a few mint leaves in the bottom of your tea glass for a delicious cool mint tea. Oregano and Thyme are two herbs that work wonderfully together and can be added to chicken or fish, along with a squeeze of lemon. Add fresh Basil to your salad along with tomatoes and CHEF Italian Style Dressing.

Dry or freeze your herbs so that they can be used later this year. Frozen herbs are perfect to add to stews and soups. Check out these great CHEF Recipes for fun ways to spice up your meals without increasing the amount of sodium!

CHEF Recipes with dried and fresh herbs:

Mint

Tropical Fruit Salad: https://www.chefsa.org/project/tropical-fruit-salad/

Parsley

Roasted Vegetables with Parsley: https://www.chefsa.org/project/roasted-root-vegetables-parsley/

Cilantro

Arroz Con Pollo: https://www.chefsa.org/project/arroz-con-pollo/

Confetti Corn: https://www.chefsa.org/project/confetti-corn-2/