Organic Herbs
from New Castle, Colorado

Care of Osage Herbs:

The general rule is to first gently wash your herbs. Dry your herbs either by lightly shaking them as they hang from your hand and/or roll them up in a tea towel or in a paper towel and lightly pat them dry. Some herbs are delicate and bruise easily. Basil is the most fragile. Rosemary and Thyme are very hearty. Depending on what you intend to prepare with your herbs desteming the leaves is common practice. The reason being is that their texture is an annoyance.
An herb grinder is an excellent way to prepare your herbs for your meal. If a herb grinder is not available any method of chopping, snipping or grinding will do.
Fresh herbs have subtle and delicate flavors. Prolonged cooking causes them to lose their fragrance and their flavor. Add fresh herbs near the end of the cooking time. The flavors develop quickly.

• For ground meats finely minced herbs can be mixed into the meat before shaping and cooking.
• For batters and crumb mixtures minced fresh herbs are an added source of nutrition and flavor.
• For soup, stocks, stews and sauces fresh herbs should be added at the end of the cooking process for a much richer flavor. The best two ways to do this are to either add herbs directly to the food or tie your herbs in a little cheesecloth and remove them before serving.
• For breads fresh herbs can added at the beginning of the kneading process. Herb breads are a wonderful appealing variation for your sandwich breads or dinner rolls.
• For pasta dishes all herbs should be added in the last few minutes of preparation.
• For fish dishes herbs are a welcome addition and simply bring out the best in any seafood meal. Herbs can be left whole and laid on top of the fish with lemon. Add Salt and pepper and butter to the herbs to add additional flavor.
• For egg and dairy dishes minced herbs add the most flavor when mixed in before the cooking begins.
• For Roasts chopped herbs can be rubbed on the meat or under the skin of chicken or turkey prior to cooking. Add Salt and pepper and butter to the chopped herbs to add additional flavor