Herbs and Spices |
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In the quest to stay healthy, herbs can play a small but significant role. Herbs help to season our food, rendering it more attractive and palatable and reducing the need to add fat and season with salt. Herbs have been known and used by ordinary people all over the world for thousands of years, and during the last century it was common for people to have small herb garden just within reach of the kitchen.
Unfortunately, the traditional use of herbs in home cooking lost importance not so long ago, when the development of our mainly urban, affluent society brought corresponding changes in our food habits. Today we are learning again that what we eat is important in determining our state of health.
Select unblemished herbs that appear fresh and moist, and smell them if you can before purchasing them. A beautiful aroma tells you they are fresh. Store herbs in an airtight plastic bag in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator or, temporarily, standing in a little water on you kitchen bench.
Every spice has its own unique taste and, in addition to their ability to enhance our food, spices provide us with a much appreciated variety of flavors. We know that it is preferable not to use salt to season our food, and in the process of kicking the salt habit spices can be of great help. |
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