Use Fresh Herbs to Make Appetizer Recipes Come To Life (Twistson Snacks)

Spring has sprung and it's time for a fresh start. What better way to add freshness and flavor than to use herbs? The aromas and intricate tastes that fresh herbs provide can add life to any appetizer recipe. But using herbs can be tricky. Keeping them fresh is another challenge. So let's take a look at our 8 favorite herbs and how to incorporate them into your favorite dishes.

Basil

Most often used in Italian dishes, this sweet herb has a hint of clove and licorice. Pesto is a favorite basil-based spread that can be used on pasta, crostini, even sandwiches. Whole basil leaves are one of the stars of Caprese salad where it is layered with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It is also tasty when chopped and sprinkled over tomato soup.

We like this recipe for Corn and Basil Cakes. They can served as a side dish, or make them smaller for an easy to handle appetizer recipe.

Chives

A part of the onion family, but with a more subtle taste, chives is famous as a topping for baked potatoes.

Try them in this recipe for Creamy Mushroom Risotto.

Cilantro

This herb is often associated with "south-of-the-border" dishes and salsas. It has a strong, fresh scent and looks a lot like parsley. Actually, it is from Southern Europe and is also known as Coriander. It's actually quite versatile and tasty in soups, salads, and with fish and vegetables.

It's also delicious in an Asian- inspired sauce for salmon we found on allrecipes.com

Dill

The sharp, fresh flavor of this herb is best with seafood, eggs, and even cold soups. You've probably had it on top of salmon, or with some cucumber salad.

Why not have it in this Orzo with Feta, Tomatoes, and Dill recipe?

Mint

This leaf can be used in sweet and savory dishes. It is delicious with lamb, peas, and ice cream (just not all at the same time!) Most recipes call for the spearmint variety.

This recipe calls for whole mint leaves as a garnish atop grilled eggplant and Lebneh, a thick Middle-Eastern yogurt...

Rosemary

This strong-flavored herb is native to the Mediterranean and is most often paired with lamb or sprinkled on roasted potatoes. It's needle-like leaves can be chopped and added to pork marinades, or even used in tomato sauce.

Try breaking with tradition and use it in these Grilled Rosemary-Salmon Skewers. This would be a nice appetizer recipe for spring and summer.

Sage

This fuzzy-leafed Mediterranean herb has a musty flavor. It's often used in stuffing - think Thanksgiving Turkey. It holds up well in risottos and pastas.

Let's really step outside of the box and make this Sage Tea.

Tarragon

Although Native to Asia, this herb is most often used in french cooking. It has a slightly peppery and licorice flavor that pairs nicely with chicken and fish.

Try making this as an appetizer recipe. These Tarragon, Shallot Egg Salad Sandwiches can be cut into smaller portions.

Fresh herbs have more flavor than dried, but they only last a few days to one week. To keep them fresh, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can also store them stems down in a small cup with a bit of water (enough to cover about one inch of the stems) and cover with a plastic bag.

One important note about fresh herbs. Heat can destroy the flavor. Some recipes will call for them to be mixed in and cooked with other ingredients, but whenever possible it's always best to toss them into a dish at the last minute.

Add fresh herbs to your next dinner, or appetizer recipe and taste the fresh, unique flavors each has to offer.

Source: http://www.twistsonsnacks.com/use-fresh-herbs-to-make-appetizer-recipes-come-to-life/

We are the best source on the web for delicious, entertaining easy snack recipes ideas. Twists on Snacks are sponsored by John Wm. Macy's Cheese Sticks. They're known for our award winning, twice-baked and hand rolled gourmet snacks.

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Spices & Herbs to Spice up Indian Recipes (shivi roy)

Indian cuisine possibly uses more spices than any other cuisine in the world. Most commonly used spices &herbs like turmeric powder, chilli powder, and coriander seeds have gained an integral place in Indian recipes over a time. Not withstanding the rising prices of Indian spices in international food markets, the demand is consistently increasing with time. Indian spices and seasonings have peculiar aroma and taste that add richness to the north Indian as well as south Indian recipes.

In addition to this Indian, herbs, spices and seasonings also have healing properties that ensures effectiveness of home remedies. Turmeric is used most prominently to cure pain and chilli helps to improve the metabolism rate of a body. Be it non-vegetarian or vegetarian recipes, spices & herbs significantly add in to the taste and aroma. For instance, if you are roasting a chicken, the first thing that comes to your mind is its spicy taste and aroma, this comes with spices like chilli powder, paprika, ground coriander seed, ground cumin, ground pepper etc. Vegetable curries in India are unfinished without the essence of curry powder that bestows tangy, hot and amalgamating flavors to your cooking recipes. A good cook should know the versatile flavors of spices; this quality makes him or her to use spices for enhancing the taste of the Indian recipes. The most of the spices, which have been used since the very beginning, are originated in various regions of south India. However, some non-traditional ingredients like paprika, Mexican chillies, soy sauce, sage, thyme, lemon grass, sambal paste, wasabi, and tarragon also compliment Indian cuisine with its aroma.

In India, most of the people usually store spices at their homes and use it in almost every homemade recipe and even in tea. It is suggested that to preserve the good quality of spices, one must store it in airtight containers in a dark, cool, dry location. Keep all spices and herb away from heat. Heat, air, and excessive light cause the aromatic oils in the herbs and spices to evaporate which in turn destroys the pleasant flavor we so desire.

Good quality and pure spices can certainly bestow a delicious and healthy experience to the food lovers, hence before purchasing seasonings for your home check whether the quality standards are being met or not. Manufacturers & exporters of Indian species focus on quality and purity to gain good reputation in the food markets. PRS Spices is one of the leading suppliers of turmeric powder, chilli powder, and vegetarian & non-vegetarian curry powder. "PRS spices" is also one of the most popular fenugreek suppliers that focus on purity aspect of seasonings.

PRS Spices is a leading spice & herbs supplier that offers range of good quality spices seasonings,curry powder, cumin powder, chat masala etc. We offer valued spices to meet all cookery needs globally, coriander seed.

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Lasagna Recipe With Herbs And Mushrooms (rajiv tiwari)

Lasagna is pasta that's considered to be one of the tastiest of its kind. Authentically made by layering meat, cheese, sauce and noodles, lasagna is an explosion of flavour. Give your taste buds a treat and try out this recipe - Lasagna With Herbs and Mushrooms can never fail!

Ingredients:
* Olive oil
* Salt to taste
* ? pound lasagna noodles
* Extra-virgin olive oil
* 4 ounces chopped fresh mushrooms
* ? large chopped yellow onion
* 3 chopped garlic cloves
* Pepper
* 1 ? cans of diced tomatoes
* ? pound fresh ricotta cheese
* ? cups grated Parmesan cheese
* Whole milk
* Chopped fresh basil
* ? tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
* ? tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leavesy
* 3 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375?F and slightly grease the pan with olive oil.

2. Add the lasagna to large pot of salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. Meanwhile, put a little oil in a large saucepan over a medium flame. When it's hot, add mushrooms, onion, garlic, salt and pepper (to taste). Keep stirring. Cook till the onions have softened and all the mushroom liquid has evaporated. Add the tomatoes and adjust the flame so the mixture simmers steadily and keep stirring occasionally till the mixture is thick and saucy.

4. Mix the ricotta, parmesan, milk, basil, thyme and rosemary in a bowl. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Spread about half the tomato sauce in the greased pan. Arrange about ? of the lasagna over the tomato sauce, then cover the lasagna with about ? of the remaining tomato sauce, followed by about ? of the cheese mixture. Repeat again. Add a final layer of lasagna and cover it with the remaining tomato sauce. Arrange the mozzarella in a single layer on top.

5. Bake the lasagna till it's bubbly and heated through.

6. Serve your lasagna recipe hot, hot, hot!

7. You can store the leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days.

Try out the easy lasagna recipe as soon as you can. It's so easy to try that you'll never regret it. Lasagna is a dish that can be served on any occasion and to anyone. Cooking authentic pasta from your own home has never been easier!

Rajiv Tiwari is an out and out gourmet whose love of food has made him travel to all top food destinations. In this bouquet of articles Rajiv discusses some quick tips on food recipes, and shows us how you can make people enchanted with lipsmacking food recipes.lasagna, lasagna recipe

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