How to use herbs of the west?

Hello friends,
I purchased a few different western herbs in small quantities a while ago. However I do not know how to use them. I have the following
1. Oregano
2. Chives
3. Dill
4. Tarragon

Do any of you use them, if so how?

Dear Beeamma,

Oregano (i mostly use dried version) i use regularly in pasta sauces. Though marjoram is better but oregano goes well with mushroom stir-fries.

Dill - you can use in Adai. This is extensively used in Karnataka so if you google you'll find good recipes:)

Chives - here they mix with quark to make a dip or bread spread.

Latha

Thanks Latha. Need to try out the dill adai.

BeeAmma:
I like to use marjarom in making bean soup. You may have seen the bags of mixed soup beans in grocery store here....get one of them and throw out the flavor packet they give you (it's awful). Soak your beans (whole bag) overnight and rinse next day. You boil these and I add salt,pepper, marjoram, carrots, canned tomatoes and you boil for 1-2 hours. You can add other spices but you might want to try it before you decide.

Chives I jsut use on baked potatoes.

Oregano in Italian food, Middle Eastern mutton dishes, and you can alos use it with basil and extra virgin oilive oil for bread dipping.

Dill can be used in dips or fish dishes but I like it best in making cucumber and green bean pickles.

BeeAmma,

I see that you have posed this almost 15 days ago, but any way in the hope you will come back and check here I have given some uses of the herbs you mentioned. Hope it helps.
Oregano
I use it in almost all Italian recipes. A simple recipe is:

Baked Potatoes
Small potatoes 10 (Unpeeled)
Butter 4 tbsp
Dried oregano 1/2 tsp
Chives 1 tbsp (Minced)
Garlic powder 1/4 tsp (Use 2 crushed small garlic if you don't have garlic powder)
Cheese 1/4 cup (Grated - Any will do, preferably Parmesan)
Paprika To taste
Ground black pepper To taste
Salt To taste

Boil potatoes in salted water. Once cooked, cool and peel.
In a baking tray line the potatoes and mash them slightly.
Spread better evenly over the tops.
Sprinkle with oregano, chives, garlic powder, cheese, paprika, ground black pepper and salt.
Preheat oven to 450F and back for 20 minutes until potatoes are evenly browned.

Chives
I normally use for seasoning salads, spreads and dips. One use is given in the above "Baked Potatoes" recipe. Another recipe is:

Potato Salad
Potatoes 4
Sour cream 1/2 cup
Fresh chives 1/4 cup (Finely chopped)
Salt To taste
Ground black pepper To taste

Boil and peel potatoes.
Cool and cut into 1/2 cubes.
Beat sour cream and add fresh chives, salt and ground pepper.
Add the boiled potatoes.
This is best served chilled.

Dill
Do you have fresh Dill or dried one? You can make subji of fresh Dill. It is called Shepu / Shepoo in Marathi. I think (not sure) dill subji is made specially on Krishna Janmastami. You can Google "Shepu Recipe" you will get a number of links.

I use dried Dill mainly in salads, spreads and dips as a seasoning. One recipe is as given below.

Cucumber Dill Dip
Cream cheese 1 cup
Mayonnaise 1 cup
Cucumbers 2 (preferably de-seeded)
Green onion 2 tbsp (Finely chopped)
Lemon juice 1 tbsp
Fresh dill 2 tsp (Finely chopped)
Fresh pepper 1/2 tsp
Salt To taste

Beat cream cheese till smooth.
Add mayonnaise and beat well.
Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Tarragon
Tarragon has a very specific taste and it is best to taste this herb before using it the first time. One recipe is:

Mushrooms With Herbs
Mushrooms 250 gms
Oil 1 tbsp
Butter 2 tbsp
Green onion 1 (Finely chopped)
Coriander / Parsley leaves 1 tbsp (Finely chopped)
Fresh tarragon 1 tbsp (Finely chopped)
Salt To taste
Ground black pepper To taste

Clean, wash and dry mushrooms.
Heat oil and better in a heavy base pan.
Add mushrooms, salt and ground back pepper. Saute about 3 minutes.
Once the moisture has evaporated add green onion and saute till the mushrooms are lightly browned.
Add coriander / parsley and tarragon.



I have read that to retain the herb flavor better, use scissors to snip it rather than knife to chop it.

Regards

Nice recipes..thanks all for sharing

Thanks blissful .

BeeAmma,

Dill dhal is so flavorful.. I cannot remember which thread it was - Recipes for all types of greens.. we discussed a lot of recipes in them.. I will try to search it for you.. Oregano is omavalli in tamil..

You can use them in Adai's or Dosai's as well..

Edit: Here you go, got it - Green Leafy Vegetables in US

BeeAmma,
Please check this link.I think Nandhu was refering to this thread.

Ammu

Thanks Ammu..

BTW, my pet name back home is Ammu too