Don't have the time to cook all meals from scratch? Simply adding a few fresh herbs to prepackaged foods is a quick way to imbue the healing power of nature into meals. Herbs such as parsley, chervil and chives work especially well to add a fresh herb taste to food without overpowering the other flavors of the meal.
Chili Cheese Cornbread Recipe
This recipe makes approximately 16 pieces of cornbread. Chilies, which are high in vitamin C, can be used in moderation for their digestive stimulating properties.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- One (4 ounce) can diced mild green chilies
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- ¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, milk and vegetable oil then stir in the garlic and green chilies.
- In another bowl stir together the salt, baking soda, baking powder, garlic powder, flour and cornmeal then stir into the milk mixture.
- Stir in the cilantro and cheese.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9” square baking dish.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake the cornbread for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on the bottom and sides.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let cool 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into small squares.
Garlic Herb Bread Recipe
Garlic was used historically as a plant to enhance stamina and endurance. Modern-day herbalists believe garlic to be a useful herb to help reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. An old wives tale was that wherever parsley grew in abundance the wife of the household was in charge. The high chlorophyll content of parsley makes it useful as a breath freshener especially after ingesting odiferous items such as onions and garlic.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf fresh French or Italian bread
- 1/3 cup butter
- 6 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves - chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon fresh sweet marjoram - chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon garlic chives - snipped with scissors
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise and place each half onto a baking sheet.
- In a small sauce pan melt the butter and add all the remaining ingredients.
- Remove from the heat and evenly spread the butter/herb mixture onto each half of the bread.
- Use a pastry brush to spread the butter/herb mixture on the bread.
- Place the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until light brown.
- Cut into slices and serve immediately.
Parmesan Chive Biscuits Recipe
This recipe makes 12 biscuits. Growing a pot of chives in your home was thought to be a sure fire way to rid the house of negative forces and evil influences. When making this recipe make sure to use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not the powdered kind that comes in a can.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 5 tablespoons butter - chilled
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup fresh chives - snipped with scissors
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chilled butter and cut into the dry ingredients using a pastry knife or two knives until it has the appearance of coarse corn meal.
- Stir in the milk, chives, and parmesan cheese.
- Use a 12 compartment greased muffin tin and fill each section ¾ of the way with the dough.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
For additional quick bread recipe ideas see the article Quick Breads Make Faster Cooks.
Lynn Smythe - ABOUT THE WRITER Born and raised in Rochester, New York, freelance writer Lynn Smythe obtained her bachelor's degree in Geology from ...
