Herbs can be so much more than fine chopped parsley sprinkled over mashed potatoes. Herbs add freshness, vibrance and fragrance to dishes as well as contribute to the variety of plants we should eat. Used wisely and judiciously, they can transform a bland dish.
Then there are health benefits, though we can’t expect large medicinal effects from the small amounts we eat. But parsley is good for vitamin A and C, dill and mint support digestion, rosemary and thyme are rich in antioxidants and basil contains vitamin K.
Here is a dozen great recipes that rely on herbs for flavour and zing, from basil pesto and herb tabbouleh salad, to a dill sauce for salmon and herby breadcrumbs for pasta.
Basil is the key to a good pesto, whatever the novelty pesto creators claim. Classic pesto is made from basil, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil. And it’s the proof that herbs make a dish (of pasta).
Basil again, delivering a wonderful flavour to a whole roasted fish. Oven baked whole brill with basil and miso makes an easy and exquisite dinner, with one small brill per individual portion.
Whole baked brill with basil
RECIPE
Tabbouleh is a Levantine salad mainly of herbs, with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers added optionally and soaked bulgur wheat for substance. It’s dressed with olive oil and seasoned with Baharat, delicious and healthy, and super easy to prepare.
Here’s the tarragon hero transforming one of the blandest dishes ever. Roasted chicken breast becomes flavoursome with tarragon and garlic, and no fancy marinades. Also: what’s the secret to delicious and succulent oven baked skinless chicken breast?
Juicy chicken breast with tarragon
RECIPE
A classic Thai dish aka chilli and basil stir fry includes copious amounts of holy basil, often confused with Thai basil which, contrary to expectations, is not what should traditionally be used. But whichever type of basil you can get hold of, masses of it give the dish the wonderful hot and fragrant flavour.
Thai chilli and basil pork
RECIPE
Persian herb salad, sabzi khordan, is the healthiest plate imaginable. Sabzi khordan means 'eat your greens' and it's piled high with fresh herbs over some sliced cucumbers and radish. Persians serve it on the side, with every meal.
Mint, rocket and tarragon, or whatever herb combination you like, tossed in a simple dressing with thinly sliced raw beetroot. Chioggia beetroots are recommended but any new season, small beets will be delicious here as well.
Herbs turn this courgette pasta bake into a super tasty dinner, with roasted garlic and Pecorino. Mixed fresh chopped herbs, any combo you fancy, give a bit of zing to boring courgettes roasted with garlic.
Herby courgette pasta bake
RECIPE
Herbs stirred into fluffy pearl barley with some butter and Parmesan turn the humble grain into a light, fresh and seriously moreish dish. Add some frozen peas for an easy high-fibre side or a vegetarian main.
Pearl barley with herbs and Parmesan
RECIPE
It’s not only salads and pasta: here spring lamb chump chops are seared in a hot pan and topped with a pillow of herby crumbs. Light, fresh and delicate in flavour herb crusted lamb chops, the best with new season lamb.
Spring lamb chops with herb crumbs
RECIPE
Pasta with crispy capers, bacon and lemon and parsley toasted breadcrumbs, aka pangrattato. Also called ‘poor man’s Parmesan’, these crunchy breadcrumbs are one of the simplest, but none the less delicious pasta toppings.
Pasta with crispy capers and herby breadcrumbs
RECIPE
No-cook chilled dill sauce made with soured cream goes with any fish, but especially with slow roasted salmon from the recipe. Chalk it up for the salmon, or only for the dill sauce.