Rosie Rosemary

Rosie Rosemary

A lot of sources will tell you that Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is only reliably perennial from zone 9 upwards, zone 8 pushing it, and zone 7 should be wintered indoors. This is where a location’s microclimate as well as choosing cold hardy varieties come into …

Mitsuba Parsley

Mitsuba Parsley

Italian parsley is grown as an annual/biennial culinary, which means that it usually dies in its second year after it sets seed. That doesn’t make it suitable for my particular application of a perennial food forest so sometimes I decline to grow it, even though …

Natto With Shiso

Natto With Shiso

If the thought of slimy, gooey, pungent, fermented soy beans make you run the other way, this post is not for you. If however, like myself, my daughters, and a large population of Asia, the thought of you makes your mouth water and stomach grumble, …

Hamachi Kama: 3 Ways

Hamachi Kama: 3 Ways

My sister (follow her on Instagram), who is a chef working at an upscale Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, gave me three hamachi kama (yellowtail collars) the other day when I went to visit her and my parents where they live in Queens. I was daunted …

Giddy Up, Horseradish!

Giddy Up, Horseradish!

This is the story of how I started out with one horseradish plant (Armoracia rusticana) and ended up with over 20. Horseradish is one of the few condiments that I can’t do without when eating raw clams or oysters. It’s also a delicious compliment to …

When Life Gives You Lemon Balm

When Life Gives You Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm (Melissa Officionalis) is a perennial herb part of the mint family with very similar growth habits. It’s hardy and invasive if left to its own devices, so like my mint, it’s been relegated to the invasive herb box where it holds its own …

Turkey, Meunster, and Peppermint Sandwich

Turkey, Meunster, and Peppermint Sandwich

If you’ve never used mint (or mint jelly) on a sandwich, you really should start. Seriously, you won’t be disappointed. I don’t know how to describe the deliciously fresh taste that using mint imparts, but it’s what I think of when I think of Summer. …

Mint Condition

Mint Condition

Mint, of the genus mentha, is one of the herbs that I always have on hand. Several different species exist, although I usually only keep one or two (currently, I have peppermint and chocolate mint.) It’s probably the least picky herb I have had the …

“Sundried” Tomatoes, Garlic, and Rosemary in Olive Oil

“Sundried” Tomatoes, Garlic, and Rosemary in Olive Oil

I had to put “sundried” in quotations because I didn’t actually dry them in the sun, but what would you call dehydrated tomatoes? Dried tomatoes… dehydrated tomatoes… desiccated tomatoes… they don’t sound too appetizing that way and the supermarkets sell them as “sundried” anyway, even …

Originally Oregano

Originally Oregano

I love having an extensive herb garden because I can just go outside and pinch some off, without having to worry about where to store large quantities of it (and, if I don’t use it up soon enough, the flavors may fade.) Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) …