Sunshine, dirt, a some little herbs is what we need...

The weather is warming up and a perfect time to work in the garden. This week, I cleaned up the herb garden and added a couple new things. While at the Oklahoma Cities’ farmers market at scissortail Park last week, I purchased a couple of new herbs! Pineapple mint (shown below) and a sweet mint which both smell fantastic! Yes, I planted both mints in containers to keep them from taking over the entire space. Tonight, I am cooking salmon with fresh thyme, added to a mixture of garlic, olive oil, honey, and lemon, wrapped in foil and placed in oven. New recipe, which I will include at the bottom. I am trying to cook fish at least twice a week. I did say try 😎. I also clean up a lot of the potted plants and fertilized. It feels great to be in the sunshine when the temperatures are in the seventies. But, you know this Texas weather. Today is supposed to be in the eighties.

You all know how much I enjoy playing in the dirt, but this herb garden has been my just plain fun. So easy and right outside the kitchen door. If you do not have the space, or live in an apartment, get you a pot and plant your favorite herb. Not only does it add so much flavor to your cooking, but it also gives you such a since of accomplishment, AND, most herbs are stunning in a pot. I love the simple look! I am thinking about adding a pot for a few peppers. I hear they do well in the heat.

I realize some of you might not enjoy cooking but having fresh mint for a sparkling water, or just adding some freshly chopped cilantro to your guacamole makes it worth it. There are many good reasons we could benefit from a little more “spice in our life” lol.

Of course, I spent a researching on Mr. Google. First, i found lots of practical reasons we can use of herbs and spices! I had to include spices knowing some of you might not want to garden but like the idea of adding spice to your life!

Salads: basil, chives, dill, garlic, lemon peel, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme, and cilantro

Soups: basil, bay, chervil, chili, chives, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, and yes, thyme

Tomatoes: basil, bay, celery seed, cinnamon, chili, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, and of course thyme

Beef: basil, bay, chili, cilantro, curry, cumin, garlic, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, and our thyme

Chicken: basil, bay, cinnamon, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme, and cilantro

Eggs: basil, chervil, chili, chives, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, marjoram, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, tarragon, and yes, the thyme goes well too

When using fresh herbs verses dried, it is 1 Tablespoon of fresh to one teaspoon of dried. That is easy to do.

Here is an herb substitute list:

Basil: oregano or thyme

Cilantro: Parsley

Oregano: thyme or basil

Parsley: Chervil or cilantro

Red Pepper: Dash bottled hot pepper sauce or black Pepper.

For substituting spices:

Chili Powder: Dash bottled hot pepper sauce + a combination of oregano and cumin

Cumin: Chili powder, caraway seeds + Anise Seeds

Fennel: Anise Seed, cumin, caraway seeds, dill

Ginger: allspice, cinnamon, or nutmeg

Here is what I cooked last night. Thought I would share since it is so easy and the clean up was amazingly easy. Served with quick salad and roasted potatoes.

Recipe for Baked Salmon:

· 1 large salmon filet

· Salt and freshly ground black pepper

· 2 lemons thinly sliced

· 6 tablespoons butter melted

· 2 tablespoons honey

· 3 cloves garlic minced

· 1 teaspoon dried oregano

· 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped

· fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.

Lay lemon slices in an even layer in the middle of the foil. Season salmon with salt and pepper on both sides. Set filet on lemon slices.

In a small bowl, whisk together butter, honey, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Pour over salmon. Fold up the sides of foil, tightly wrapping the salmon

Bake until the salmon is cooked through, about 12 minutes to 15 minutes.

Open foil and increase heat to broil. Broil until the butter mixture has thickened and turned into a glaze, about 2 minutes, and internal temperature reads 145 degrees on a digital thermometer. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve! Great flavor.

Get out in the sunshine today! Even if it is a walk around the block or to the mailbox! ❤🌻