MY LAMBETH MIXED HERBS

I find my herb garden such a delight. Living as I do in a city with no space for a kitchen garden, it is a pleasure to be able to reach out to my pots and tubs for a choice of herbs to transform my cooking. So wherever you live and for me, that is Lambeth, we can all manage tiny beds and pots to grow our own herbs (see link).

Whether used separately or mixed together, herbs are the easiest preserve of all.

The herbs shown here were very definitely grown and picked straight from my Lambeth herb garden. They were hung up and dried in my Lambeth kitchen where they were finally mixed together for my use.

My only dilemma was what to name to give to my mixed herbs. I debated over Herbes de Londres, Clapham Mixed Herbs or South London Assorted Herbs. I finally thought it was about time that London borough of Lambeth had its moment.

So here is  my simple Lambeth Mix recipe and full of south London  flavours.

LAMBETH MIXED HERBS

I have a number of herbs in my plot and manage to grow and preserve bay, parsley, chives, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano  and sage.

Of these,  I tend to use thyme and rosemary far more than the other herbs and these two herbs dominate my Lambeth mix.

Lambeth mixed recipe 

3 measures dried thyme

3 measures dried ground rosemary

1 measure of dried marjoram

1 measure of dried sage

Ensure all the herbs are completely dry before starting your mix.

Crumble the herbs, then mix and store in a sealed jar or container and keep in a dark corner

Of the other mixed herbs the best known are the herbes de province

HERBES DE PROVINCE

The traditional recipe for herbes do province includes the basic herbs – thyme, marjoram, rosemary, savoury and lavender flowers. Some other herbs that may be added are basil, oregano, tarragon. A useful link for this basic mix is from the  The Herb Gardener. http://theherbgardener.blogspot.co.uk/2008/01/make-your-own-herbes-de-provence.html

 More alternative herb mixes to check out and try

For more adventurous mixes

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/homemade-herb-and-spice-mixes/

or for tea blends

http://readynutrition.com/resources/make-your-own-10-herbal-tea-blends-you-can-grow-in-your-garden_09032015/

USING MIXED HERBS

Fish, vegetable and meat casseroles.

Coat meats and fish in herbs before grilling or frying

Add to scones, breads, in shortcut and puff pastry

Introduce flavours to pasta sauces

Toss parboiled fluffy potatoes in mixed herbs before roasting

In a pretty bag or jolly jar, it will make a lovely present for someone’s  birthday or at Christmas or for a pick me up moment.

Final tips for your dried herbs

For flourishing plants it is always a good habit to prune herb plants regularly and hang up the cuttings to dry and collect over the summer. The months of September and October are my final time to reap again.

Remember that if substituting dried herbs are for fresh herbs that dried herbs are a much stronger and I suggest the quantity should be adjusted by a quarter.

If in doubt  the answers  to all herb matters can be found at the herb society  see link.

Pippa