Wild About Rosemary

One of the most used summer herbs is rosemary. It's a great addition to salads, sauces, marinades and even some desserts. One of the most ancient of ingredients is a warm weather must have, whether garden grown or market bought.

Rosemary has been used for centuries, starting in kitchens in old Rome and Athens.It is part of the mint family, first growing in the Mediterranean and Asia.The plant thrives in coastal areas and it's name means dew - ros- of the  sea - marinus. lady Elizabeth kent first mentioned it in her 1823 study Flora Domestica.The famed botanist , Carl Linnaeus solidified the name later on  in the Nineteenth Century. (although you don't have to live by the ocean to grow it. It can thrive in any backyard garden)Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub.It is hardy surviving droughts and long rainless periods.It's a fuzzy kind of plant, with short, dense woolly hair. Its' flowers are white,pink, purple or deep blue.It 's notorious for flowering outside its' growing season. Blooms have been reported in December and February.If you are thinking of growing it, remember it does well in loamy soil. Don't over water it  which can water log it. It can be propagated from an existing plant by clipping a shoot and planting it directly into the soil.

Most know rosemary from homemade tomato sauce which it does play a vital role .With its' cousin, oregano, it tempers the sauce with a fresh , aromatic flavor. The herb can be used in focaccia where cut sprigs are added to the dough and then sprinkled on top for decoration.Think about using it when creating grissini or Italian breadsticks. A tablespoon of fresh , chopped leaves will definitely add to the recipe.To make more herby also add thyme, another herb rosemary shines with when blended together.Another idea is rosemary infused olive oil - a nice appetizer when paired with breadsticks or slices of Italian and French bread.It's just cooking a cup of oil and five to six sprigs over a medium low heat for five minutes. Transfer to a cruet where it will keep for a month. Rosemary is also very good in soups. Try it in a hearty veggie or a delicate onion one.One of the most famous dishes using it is rosemary chicken. Chicken meat is mild and the rosemary brings out its' subtle flavor. A great recipe is chicken breasts cooked in oil  with two sprigs along with garlic and lemon For the more daring home chef, there is rosemary ice cream , where it melds with honey and cream for a unique flavor.

Rosemary is an ancient herb  that can be used in any modern dish.It will add to any recipe from savory to sweet. Try it in your summer cooking for a nice boost of flavor.