If you haven’t cooked a lot with fresh herbs in the past, they do take a little getting used to. Fresh herbs are not as strong as dried, so if you are substituting fresh herbs in a recipe that calls for dried, you will need about three times as much of the fresh herb. A recipe that calls for one teaspoon of dried rosemary would require a tablespoon (three teaspoons) of fresh.
Fresh herbs are also more sensitive to heat than dried herbs. If they are left on heat too long they often become bitter. Add your fresh herbs as close to the end of cooking as possible or simply sprinkle them on after the dish has been removed from the heat. The warmth of the food will still allow the flavor of the herbs to penetrate, but they will not become overpowering.
Here are some ideas for how you can use different herbs in your cooking:
Rosemary
lamb, chicken, pork, roasted vegetables, Italian dishes, it’s great with lemon and olive oil
Basil
tomato sauce, pizza, pasta, pesto, lamb, makes a great garnish on salads (stack the leaves on top of each other, roll into a cigar shape and thinly slice), good with roasted garlic in mashed potatoes
Thyme
A wonderful addition to any meat, especially chicken and lamb, good with pasta or vegetables, it’s quite mild flavored
Sage
Well known for its affinity with poultry, sage is good on roasted meats, in stuffings and makes a lovely garnish
Oregano
A great choice for any Italian dish, it’s also delicious on meats
Mint
Add to a lamb spice rub for a taste of the Mediterranean, use it for tea or mint juleps
Cilantro
A great spicy addition to both Mexican and Asian dishes, try it in salsa, burritos, rice and other dishes, people either love or hate its bold flavor
Parsley
Though not usually regarded as a flavorful spice, parsley is good for brightening the flavors of dishes and as a palate cleanser, use it on anything
Epazote
Known as the bean herb in Mexican cooking, it is said to reduce gas from eating beans, so add some to your next pot of chili
Lavender
Yes, you can actually eat lavender, it’s good on mildly spiced foods, like chicken with lemon and lavender, or in a soothing tea