The Many Uses of Thyme in the Kitchen

Written By Chouhab on vendredi 5 décembre 2008 | 00:36

By KC Kudra

Whether you are a new cook or an experienced one, you will know that there are plenty of herbs, spices and seasonings that can be used to make a dish sublime. Thyme is a very popular herb and has various uses. Thyme is popular in French cooking recipes and goes with many different foods. Thyme gives food a tangy, earthy flavor and if you have used it, you will know that its taste and smell are very distinctive. A few interesting facts about thyme can help you decide when to use it in your cooking and how it brings out the flavor of your French recipes.

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.

You need to crush the thyme leaves before adding dried thyme to your food, to ensure the thyme taste will be evenly distributed. Dried thyme should be kept in a dark, cool place in an airtight container. If you keep it in this way, it should last up to 6 months. When it is past its best, the thyme will begin to smell musty.

It is straightforward to grow your own thyme. If you do not have much space, you can grow it in a window box. Thyme goes so well with many French cooking recipes that it is very useful to have fresh thyme to hand. When the thyme is ready, you can dry it by hanging it upside down for several days until the leaves are crispy. You might also decide to use it fresh in your French cooking; in which case just use the leaves because the stems are woody. You can either pinch the leaves off or drag the plant through the tines of a fork.

There are many different recipes featuring thyme. A lot of French cooking recipes use thyme but it is also very good when added to a mushroom stroganoff. This is because mushrooms are earthy and so is thyme. Have a look through some French dessert recipes to find one, which will be delicious after your mushroom stroganoff. There are plenty of French dessert recipes to choose from but something soft and fruity like Pears Belle Helene or homemade vanilla ice cream will go well.

Thyme also suits most dishes that call for mustard. Honey mustard chicken can be too sweet for many people but adding some thyme makes the flavor rounder and much better.

If you make your salad dressings, particularly if you enjoy vinaigrettes of any flavor, thyme can be used to add some spice and texture to it. If you are planning a light lunch or appetizers, consider the fact that thyme goes quite well with a variety of soft, pale cheeses. The sweetness of the cheese will really bring out the sharp taste of the thyme, and you can combine them to taste.

There are many different ways to use thyme in French cooking recipes. Thyme will not suit all French recipes so you might want to experiment with this herb. Do not forget to find some French dessert recipes to finish off your meal to perfection!

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