phtotos: getty, alamy
Basil
Basil is a tender
annual often
used in italian
cooking.
The variety
‘Sweet
Genovese’ has
the classic liquorice flavour, but
there are others with different
flavours, such as cinnamon,
and ‘Mrs Burns’ lemon basil,
which has a fresh citrus tang.
How To grow
✿ It needs well-draining
soil and is best grown ina container
on a sheltered
patio with 6-8
hours of sun each
day. Height 45cm.
✿ At the end
of the summer,
basil plants will
flower and produce
seed that can be saved for
starting next year’s crop.
Cooking Tip
✿Chop and add to cream
cheese for a tasty bagel
topping. Also perfect with
tomatoes, pasta and in risotto.Using fresh herbs in cooking
is great for your health. It adds
flavour to homemade meals
without the need for salt, and
different herbs have different
health properties...
Thyme
This ancient evergreen is
a sun-lover from the Med,
where it’s used when
roasting meat, making
stuffing and in many other
dishes. Thymus x citriodorus
‘Fragrantissimus’ has a
distinct spicy orange scent
when bruised and is
wonderful for flavouring
chicken dishes.perilla
Known as Japanese
basil, perilla is related to mint
and basil and is a tender annual
with crinkly green or purple
leaves – a good choice for
summer beds and patio pots.
How To grow
✿ Seeds are sown in spring
and planted out after the
frosts. Fertile soil with
good drainage is essential,
with sun or partial shade.
Pinching out the tips will
encourage bushiness.
Height 60cm, spread 30cm.✿ Popular in Asian cooking
(as shiso) the sweet leaves can
be used in salads, and pair
well with exotic fruits. Infused
in rice vinegar and water,
they can be used to make
a refreshing summer drink.
Cooking Tip
✿ Fairly potent – so a little
goes a long way. Chop and
use to marinate tuna or lamb
along with lemon juice and
olive oil; or try it chopped
into pasta or a tomato salad.phh
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