Creating your own personal herb blend can add flavor to your cooking. You can grow your own herbs making the blend truly personal. You can also use fresh or dried herbs found at your local grocer. Regardless of the source of your herbs, learning to blend, mix and match your herbs is a great way to use them.
Instructions
1. Research what herbs go with what foods. When making a personal blend for chicken, you must know which herbs work best with it. You can also be willing to venture out and use your own likes and dislikes.
2. Think about food. Remember all your favorite foods and dishes. Think about the tastes you like best. Now imagine combining those flavors and think of what they might taste like. Try some of the combinations.
3. Find a great source for the herbs of your choice. The fresher the herb, the more flavor it adds to your blend and your food. Get to know your source. Consider growing your own herbs for even more personalization.
4. Experiment in small batches. Make a small batch of your herb blend and test it out. Depend on your taste buds to tell you if it's what you are looking for, or if you need to make changes.
5. Take detailed notes. It is frustrating to make that perfect personal blend only to forget exactly how you made it. Taking notes about everything will help you be able to make that blend over again. Make sure you note exact measurements.
6. Make enough of your blend to last you. One of the advantages of making personal herb blends is to have them readily on hand. Making a larger batch will ensure this.
7. If you use fresh herbs, store them in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag. They will not keep long, so be sure to make up only what you can use.
8. Dried herb blends must be stored in airtight containers. Store these containers away from heat and light. Most experts say that dried herbs lose much of their flavor after six months. Only make up what you can use in this time.
9. Practicing with classic blends first may give you a good foundation when making your own blends. There are websites with herb recipes. Find one that appeals to you and try it out. This will give you the feel for the amounts to use and the flavors you want to create.
10. Share your herb blend. This is as simple as having friends and family over for a dinner using your herb blend. You can even package it up and use it as a gift for that cook on your list. Making and sharing herb blends is great fun.
Tags: herb blend, your herbs, your herb, your herb blend, dried herbs
