Cooking can be a fun experience, but we sometimes get into the rut of making the same things over and over again, especially, when we may have limited pantry items or when trying to reinvent leftovers. A few simple herbs can add flavor to your go-to recipes or transform boring leftovers into something crave worthy. Also, for those of you with kids doing schoolwork from home and summer quickly approaching, we’ve included some ideas that are easy and kid friendly. 

Ways to add herbs to your meals

• Salads: Add herbs to make your own salad dressing or tear up and throw on top
• Pasta: Add fresh herbs in an olive oil and/or marinara-based sauce
• Soups: Add fresh oregano, thyme, rosemary, etc. to any soup to jazz up the flavor!
• Eggs: Add fresh parsley or basil to egg muffins or scrambled eggs
• Marinades: Add any fresh herbs when marinating your meat, veggies, potatoes, etc.
• Tea: Add mint, lavender, chocolate basil, peppermint, or pineapple sage to your favorite tea for an added flavor boost

Buy and store herbs properly to maintain freshness

• Look for herbs that are bright and even in color  
• Store them with stems down in a glass of water and keep on the counter or in the refrigerator for six to eight days
• Store dried herbs in airtight containers in a cool dark place for up to 6 months

Time your use of herbs when cooking

• Add whole herbs at the beginning of cooking because it takes longer to draw out the flavor.
• When chopped, the aroma comes into whatever you are cooking faster so chopped herbs are sometimes better to use right before serving.
• Dried herbs need time to rehydrate and should be added in early to allow heat to release the flavors. Crush them with your fingers before adding to also release more flavor.

Don’t have any fresh herbs on hand?  Substitute 1 tablespoon fresh herbs for 1 teaspoon dried herbs!

Recipe ideas that are easy to make and kid friendly:

• Introducing kids to herbs and recipe ideas        
• Celebrity chef quarantine meal ideas
• Fun kids kebabs (no cooking involved!)
• Pizza wrap sandwiches (only three ingredients)
• Buy a pack of street taco tortillas (smaller tortillas); you can do fun pin wheel wraps, chicken wrap, or a classic quesadilla.  

Join OSU Health Coach Lindsay on Thursday, June 25 from noon to 12:30 p.m. for the educational program webinar Cooking with Herbs to get more ideas! For more upcoming educational programs or group health coaching series, register on linktohealth.osu.edu.