The Importance Of Herbs

I believe every level of cook should learn to how to grow and/or buy and cook with herbs. Pairing herbs with food is very important when learning and experimenting with food, and it can seem quite intimidating. I was fortunate enough to attending cooking school in France, where a very large portion of my studies were dedicated to food preparation and herb pairing. Once you learn how to pair herbs with food, it will elevate your cooking to another level.

Herbs will not only enhance the flavor of your food, but also make it pleasing to the eye. Being a farm-to-table chef, I often use tons of herbs to garnish a whole buffet as well as individual plates.

Having my own herb garden has been a fun way to help me create my own authentic food. Like most chefs, I prefer organic produce that is grown on small farms, at the peak of the season, and sold directly to the public. It is the perfect way to enjoy your own farm-to-table cooking.  Not to mention, it is a great way to support the integrity of our country’s food and farmers! Herbs are a great part of farm-to-table cooking, and you can have it in the comfort of your own back yard or in small pots in on an apartment balcony. For the best herb selection in Detroit check out my favorite, Detroit Garden Works!

Adding herbs and spices allows the dish to become personal, and it gives you a chance to truly make any dish and any recipe your own! Learn to love and use herbs whether they’re dry, or fresh. They are filled with antioxidants and promote healing.

To start, simply use herbs decorate your buffet, or leave them in cute containers near your stove as you are cooking, and maybe you’ll feel more inclined to use them. Check out this simple herb pairing chart to help. Herbs are my favorite part of cooking, so enjoy learning about them and be sure to experiment!