Herbs are fantastic! They smell good, they taste good and they accent just about everything. To show my love for them I have dedicated a single post just for them!
Anyway, my 5 favorite herbs are Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage and Dill. Below are some of the uses that I find extrememly delightful and some are even quite appetizing. 
Herb 1: Basil
Use 1: Pizza Toppings
Basil might seem like a silly thing to use on a pizza, but if your making your own- it is a must have! Mix and make your own dough, whole wheat is delicious, take the time to make your own tomato sauce- if additonal spices and veggies are added it will taste even better, things like onions, garlic and peppers for example- find yourself a way to make or receive freshly made mozzarella and put them all together! Dough first, once it has risen and has been properly prepared. Sauce next, once that has also finished. Add on your toppings, meat, veggies, fruits, whatever you lie. Add your Basil and top with the cheese to hold it all in. Cook and you will have a delicious meal at your fingertips within a short time of about 45 minutes! The food is delicious and the basil jsut adds another POP to the flavor.
Use 2: Canning
As I’ve become aware of, there are soooo many canning recipes out there that require herbs- like basil- and if you search hard enough in your recipe book there will be a delicious treat that you can prepare and save for a special occasion.
http://www.freshpreserving.com/recipe.aspx?r=45, http://www.pickyourown.org/pesto.php, and http://lifeinrecipes.com/2011/08/05/peach-habanero-basil-jam/ are all lovely canning recipes.
Herb 2: Rosemary
Use 1: Hair Conditioner
Rosemary tea can be used as a conditioner. The herb will help to combat dandruff, and rosemary vinegar applied to the hair will make hair glossy. It is also said that rosemary will combat hair loss recovery.
Rosemary tea recipe for hair: Pour a cup of boiling water over two to three teaspoons of fresh or dried rosemary leaves, cover and allow to steep for 10 minutes or so. Drink two cups of rosemary tea a day to prevent hair loss through poor circulation and to stimulate growth after an event such as chemotherapy.Rosemary vinegar recipe: Take 25g rosemary (fresh) and add to 1 liter of cider vinegar. Allow to steep in the vinegar for two weeks then strain, bottle in a glass bottle, date and label. Use 2 dessert spoons in final rinsing water after washing hair. To fight dandruff, massage the rosemary vinegar into the scalp 20 minutes before washing.
Down through the centuries it has been used for various ailments, from melancholia to epileptic seizures. In ancient times thyme was one of the first herbs sued as incense. It was often mixed with equal parts of lavender and sprinkled on the floors of churches in the Middle Ages to eliminate any unwanted odors. In ancient Egypt, thyme was one of the ingredients used in the mummification process. It has also been used as a perfume among some ancient cultures.
In recent years it has been prescribed by herbalists for intestinal worms, gastrointestinal ailments, bronchial problems, lack of appetite, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, the common cold, and laryngitis. In Germany it is used to treat whooping cough and emphysema.
Thyme has antiseptic qualities that make it useful for a mouthwash and to combat tooth decay. Its antiseptic qualities also make it useful in cases of anemia, bronchial ailments, and intestinal problems, as well as a skin cleanser. It has been known for anti-fungal properties that can be used to treat athlete’s foot and has anti-parasitic properties that are useful against lice, scabies, and crabs. It has shown useful for colic, excess gas, sore throats, and as a hangover remedy. Thyme also proves beneficial as an expectorant to loosen and expel mucous.
- Sage butter on gnocchi
- Sage butter on ravioli, especially pumpkin ravioli
- Sage butter on trout
- Sage olive oil with pasta and parmesan
- Put some leaves into pesto with other herbs.
- Add sage to duck sausage.
- Add sage to bean dishes.
- Infuse honey with sage.
- Use with parsley, rosemary and thyme in chicken risotti and soups.
- Add along with fresh parsley, basil, thyme, and rosemary to tomato sauces.
- Deep-fry the leaves and serve as an appetizer, or use as a garnish for poultry, meat dishes, or pasta.
