Herbs
enhance the foods we eat, capturing the lure of uplifting fragrances
and the hint of romance. They give us an appreciation of subtle foliage,
flowers, and flavors. Although the vitamins and minerals herbs provide
may be minute in quantity, it is the taste, mood-enhancement and health
benefits they give foods that make them so valuable.
Arugula
Salad with Pistachios
4 teaspoons
balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
3 bunches
of arugula, torn into bite size pieces
1/3 cup
shelled husky pistachios, coarsely chopped
Sea Salt
& fresh ground pepper to taste
Combine vinegar, salt and pepper in a small
bowl. Slowly whisk in oil in thin stream. Adjust seasoning.
Toss vinaigrette with arugula in medium bowl.
Divide among plates. Sprinkle with pistachio
nuts and serve.
Roasted
Garlic
2-tablespoons
unsalted butter
1-tablespoon peanut oil
1-tablespoon
olive oil
12 large
garlic cloves
1-tablespoon
minced basil
1-tablespoon
minced parsley
Salt and
pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 350F.
In a small ovenproof casserole, melt the butter,
peanut oil, and olive oil over medium heat. Place the garlic
cloves in the casserole in a single layer, stirring briefly
to coat with oil. Bake, uncovered for 20-30 minutes, basting
occasionally, until cloves are well browned and soft. Season
to taste with basil, parsley, salt and pepper.
Calendula
Vinaigrette
6 yellow
pear tomatoes
1/3 cup calendula petals
1/3 cup
white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
balsamic vinegar
Freshly
ground white pepper and salt
1 cup olive
oil
Quarter tomatoes and sprinkle
petals on top. Combine remaining ingredients except olive
oil and puree in blender. Now slowly add olive oil with blender
running. Pour mixture over tomatoes and petals. Cover and
marinate at room temperature several hours before adding to
your favorite tossed salad.
Our
concern for health is inseparable from our pursuit of beauty.
What is it that makes us want to squeeze or slather or pat
on our outsides the things that cause us to feel good on our
insides? This impulse isn't all that illogical. The oldest
cosmetic formulas offer advice on the virtues of fruits, vegetables
and herbs in enhancing and preserving our appearance.
"You
may consider yourself happy whsen that which is your food
is also your medicine," wrote Thoreau.
Along
the Garden Path
He
was far from being the first to claim health from the
garden. For thousands of years, physicians of the body
and spirit--today's doctors and priests--were gardeners
and botanists first, healers of aches and pains second.
