Chai's Top 5 Fresh Herbs

I am creative and love to cook! One of my favorite things to use in my recipes is fresh herbs. I’m sharing my favorites as well as some benefits and staple recipes that are perfect for each one.

1. Lemongrass:  Most common in Asian cuisine, I love using lemongrass in my soup and curries. The aroma that it brings to my kitchen is amazing!  Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain and swelling, reduce fever, improve levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood.

2. Cilantro: I use this herb on everything, and you will always find this in my fridge! One of my favorite ways to use it is on fish, noodle soup, and as a garnish. So, I will confess, I can't help it but smelling it before I put in a bag in the grocery store. I feel the more fragrant the better.

Storage tip: Cilantro doesn't keep fresh for long. Don't wash it until you are ready to use it, or it will degrade swiftly.

3. Ginger: Ginger not only adds delicious flavor to food, but it's also full of nutrients.  People have been using the root for cooking and healing for thousands of years. Honestly, I just love putting in in my stir-fry. It tastes delicious, and it smells amazing! I also like to make hot ginger tea. I just add 3 to 5 slices of ginger and a couple of slices lemon to boiling water for about five minutes.

We often think of orange juice as the go-to drink for warding off a cold, but fresh ginger juice may be a better choice. The root has a warming effect, which is believed to help with cold symptoms. Drinking ginger can keep you warm, while also helping the body sweat and get rid of infections. Let me know what's your favorite ways to use  Ginger

.4. Rosemary: Oh Rosemary, I do love you. Not only I like to use it my cooking, but I love using them around my house. It's definitely my go-to herb for roasting chicken and for my fall dishes. I like Rosemary, because this plant is easy to grow (because I do not have a green thumb!) and propagate, and it’s a delicious addition to many culinary creations!

5.Garlic: There is something irresistible about the aroma of roasted garlic. It is so captivating and powerful, that it has long been used as a flavor booster in curries, stir-fries, pizza toppings, pasta, and meat preparation.  Consuming garlic on a daily basis (in food or raw) helps to lower cholesterol levels because of the anti-oxidant properties of Allicin.  Good to know!

I would love for you to share your favorite fresh herbs and how you like to use them!