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5 Must-Have Herbs to Level up your Dishes

Posted by Jewel Sebastian on

Thinking about what to serve your family on Christmas Eve or looking for ways to add flavor and color to your specialty dish? Having a pot or two of these herbs will turn your simple meal to a hearty feast.

Parsley
First on our list is one of the kitchen staples for most herb gardeners. Among many varieties, flat parsley is the most preferred as it is tastier than the curly ones. Parsley is used as a garnish to dishes to add color and taste, often in pasta and even in soups and salads. But did you know that it's also a good breath freshener after meals? That's the reason why this herb is garnished on top of a serving of rice.
As for the care, this herb is beginner-friendly. It would benefit from a small spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight. Also, moist soil will be great for them. Be careful not to overwater.

Basil
This herb can be grown all year round so you could use them to make fresh pesto and other Mediterranean cuisines. Basil chicken with lemon is an easy dish to make with this culinary gem. Other favorites are basil-packed salads and stir-fried shrimp with basil and tomatoes.
Basil's requirement is like that of parsley, so it would be nice to have their pots beside each other. And yes, they can be grown indoors! It's easily propagated by seeds or by cuttings.

Rosemary
What about something to level up the good ol' roasted chicken? Rosemary is perfect in infusing flavor and aroma. It's also popular for boosting one's mood and improving memory. Rosemary plants can grow as tall as 2 meters. It is best to grow it in an area where there is partial shade, take note to avoid abruptly changing the sunlight exposure to continue being friends with this herb. Also, avoid overwatering. Water it every other day, or just enough to moisten the soil, and it will do well.

Mint
There are many varieties of mint, and all of them are well-loved because of the twist that it brings to almost any dish in the kitchen. One favorite is the chocolate mint which adds a variety of flavors to teas, cakes, and salads. Mints, especially when added to a cup of tea, reduce stress and anxiety, and it's also known to aid in indigestion. This is a go-to plant for beginners who are exploring the world of herbs because it can be grown easily from cuttings. Place your pot of mint in an area that receives at least 5-6 hours of sunlight, keep the soil moist but not soaking wet, and you'll enjoy minty dishes.

Thyme
The last herb to complete our list is thyme. This is one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors, an herb that can boost the immune system to fight cough and common colds. This is also great in reducing high blood pressure. Along with its medicinal benefits, thyme is perfect in adding flavor to soups and sauces. This can also be used to achieve your next-level dinner, the thyme-infused roasted chicken. And oh, did I forget to mention that it can also enliven dull omelets and sandwiches? Thyme loves an area with at least six hours of indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist by watering it every other day.

These are but a handful of herbs that any gardener who's just taken the path to herb gardening could attain success in. While taking your dish to a higher notch, gaining health benefits, it's definitely a delight to serve a homemade meal that bursts with color. And the more special thing-- it's made possible by those greens at your kitchen window.