Whether you are a veteran cook or very new to the kitchen, you are already aware that there are several herbs and seasonings that you should just keep on hand as a matter of course and thyme is one of them! Thyme, in any of its forms, adds an earthy, tangy taste to your cooking and if you have cooked with and without it, you already know the difference it can make. A few facts about this essential herb can help you decide when to incorporate it into your cooking and how it really helps.
Thyme comes in a dried form, available from the store, or you can grow it fresh. A sprig of fresh thyme is equal in potency to half a teaspoon of dried thyme. You should add thyme cautiously because its flavor can be overpowering. Add a little and taste your French recipe or whichever recipe you are following. If it needs more, add a little more and taste again.
Remember to crush the leaves well before adding dried thyme to your French cooking recipes. This ensures the thyme flavor will be evenly distributed throughout the food. You need to store dried thyme in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. Stored in this way, dried thyme will keep for up to 6 months. After that time it will go musty and lose its flavor.
It is easy to grow your own thyme and you can use a window box for this. If you want to dry the thyme for use in a French recipe, just hang it upside down for a couple of days and wait until the leaves go crispy. If you want to use it fresh in your French cooking recipes, do not use the stems because they are woody. Use the leaves only. You can either drag the plant through the tines of a fork to remove the leaves, or just pull them off.
There are many different ways that you can integrate the special taste of thyme into your cooking. Thyme goes especially well with the earthy flavor of mushrooms, and a good mushroom stroganoff can be made absolutely spectacular with the addition of some well-placed thyme.
You will also find out that thyme goes well with any dish that calls for mustard. Honey mustard chicken is a dish that can be almost childishly sweet until you add some thyme to help it grow up a little.
As well as being used in French recipes, thyme goes very well with homemade salad dressings and vinaigrettes. It adds texture and spice. Thyme also goes well with soft, pale cheeses, if you are planning appetizers. The sharp taste of the thyme is excellent with the sweetness of the cheese.
The sky is the limit when it comes to finding uses for thyme. It is used in many French cooking recipes, so why not try a basic French recipe first, followed by a French dessert recipe. The impact of a sprinkle of thyme in your meal will be sure to pleasantly tantalize your taste buds. - 16492
Thyme comes in a dried form, available from the store, or you can grow it fresh. A sprig of fresh thyme is equal in potency to half a teaspoon of dried thyme. You should add thyme cautiously because its flavor can be overpowering. Add a little and taste your French recipe or whichever recipe you are following. If it needs more, add a little more and taste again.
Remember to crush the leaves well before adding dried thyme to your French cooking recipes. This ensures the thyme flavor will be evenly distributed throughout the food. You need to store dried thyme in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. Stored in this way, dried thyme will keep for up to 6 months. After that time it will go musty and lose its flavor.
It is easy to grow your own thyme and you can use a window box for this. If you want to dry the thyme for use in a French recipe, just hang it upside down for a couple of days and wait until the leaves go crispy. If you want to use it fresh in your French cooking recipes, do not use the stems because they are woody. Use the leaves only. You can either drag the plant through the tines of a fork to remove the leaves, or just pull them off.
There are many different ways that you can integrate the special taste of thyme into your cooking. Thyme goes especially well with the earthy flavor of mushrooms, and a good mushroom stroganoff can be made absolutely spectacular with the addition of some well-placed thyme.
You will also find out that thyme goes well with any dish that calls for mustard. Honey mustard chicken is a dish that can be almost childishly sweet until you add some thyme to help it grow up a little.
As well as being used in French recipes, thyme goes very well with homemade salad dressings and vinaigrettes. It adds texture and spice. Thyme also goes well with soft, pale cheeses, if you are planning appetizers. The sharp taste of the thyme is excellent with the sweetness of the cheese.
The sky is the limit when it comes to finding uses for thyme. It is used in many French cooking recipes, so why not try a basic French recipe first, followed by a French dessert recipe. The impact of a sprinkle of thyme in your meal will be sure to pleasantly tantalize your taste buds. - 16492
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