December Recipe Share
A Recipe Share was the first topic of our in-person herbal group last year.
December is a lovely time to share herbal recipes. As the seasons change, and cold weather arrives, we spend more time indoors. We have more time for cooking and creating in the kitchen. Plus, sharing recipes in place of spending money on gifts is a lovely idea for the holidays.
Of course, herbs themselves make fun gifts: herbs as food, herbs as tea, herbs for steams, and so many other possibilities!
Are you sharing herbs with friends and families this season?
Do you have a favorite herbal recipe that you would like to share?
There are many wonderful cookbooks and books on herbs. I picked one of my favorites to share with you today. This is an older cookbook that I found at a library book sale.
It is a cookbook called The Savory Way, and I would like to share a quote from the author.
“A book about food and cooking could not come about in a vacuum. Friends who have shared their warmth and support as well as many meals are what have made this book possible. Without them the joy of cooking would indeed be faint.”
I picked this quote because it acknowledges the magic of sharing food with friends.
It is easy to find herbal recipes on the internet today, and it is fun to prepare them at home. Yet without friends to share the delights of recipes, food and herbs, “the joy of cooking would indeed be faint.”
Unfortunately, these days, we cannot always sit in person with our friends and family around the kitchen table. Yet through the wonder of the internet, we can gather around a virtual kitchen table and share recipes today.
I have chosen to share a recipe from The Savory Way for Rosemary Butter with Sage and Juniper.
This is a timely recipe for winter in my area as both sage and rosemary are still available in the garden. I just harvested the last of my sage, and was looking for recipes that highlight her.
I love both the smell and the taste of rosemary. I have been simmering rosemary on my stove recently to freshen the air this winter.
I also have juniper berries on hand for the first time, and I am learning how to work with them.
So, this butter recipe jumped out at me. If you are not a fan of butter, you could substitute goat cheese. That sounds like a delicious recipe as well.
Juniper has a strong flavor, so I may adjust down the juniper. I have a spice grinder that I can use instead of pounding them.
It is interesting to note that juniper berries are not actually berries. There is more than one variety of juniper, and a certain time for harvesting them. So if you are not used to growing and harvesting juniper, it is probably best to buy a small spice jar.
Rosemary Butter with Sage and Juniper
from The Savory Way by Deborah Madison
“These herbs lend a robust taste to the butter that’s especially appropriate for winter. It’s excellent with roast potatoes. This is a strong infusion of tastes; a little will go a long way.
Makes ½ cup
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped sage leaves
12 juniper berries, pounded
Freshly ground pepper
1 or 2 garlic cloves, pounded until smooth (optional)
Cream the butter until soft; then stir in the rest of the ingredients. Add the garlic if you wish.
What are your favorite winter herbs?
Do you have a favorite recipe this week that you can share?
Please feel free to post your herbal recipe in the comments.
You might think you don’t have an herbal recipe to share. Remember your kitchen spices are herbs too. You may have a favorite savory recipe, or a sweet recipe. Drink recipes count as recipes. Herbal waters and teas. Herbs added to coffee. It might be a simple recipe with 2 ingredients. Those are some of my favorites. It might be a recipe you have taught your children or learned from your grandmother. Memories that arise from recipes are wonderful!
I am delighted that you are gathering here with us, and I look forward to seeing what you choose to share. Wishing you herbal joy during the holidays!