Issue 24

Herbs in the Home No2

In the winter issue of the Caswell Chat 2007, I began a new topic entitled; Tips & Hints and it started with Herbs, which included a few recipes. I got great feedback form that article and many requested more recipes. This year in the OT Garden, Herbs had played a major part, so here are some more recipes to enjoy:

Hot Mead Punch;

1 bottle of Mead,
1 pt. of dry cider,
1 pt. of apple juice,
2 oranges,
12 cloves,
5 inch cinnamon stick,
4 myrtle berries,
2 f/oz of honey.

Method

Put the mead, cider and apple juice into a saucepan. Cut the orange into thick slices and stick cloves into each slice. Add the fresh orange, cinnamon stick and myrtle berries to the saucepan. Stir in the honey. Heat the punch to just below simmering point and keep it at that temperature for 20 minutes. Strain the punch. Serve hot, in warmed mugs or thick glasses. Mead blends well with these sweet spices making a medium – sweet, full flavoured drink.

Alternatives

Substitute myrtle berries and / or cinnamon stick for;

Angelica stem, adds a wonderful spicy flavour, which combines well with apple and honey. Use a two 5 inch slices of second year stems.
Caraway seeds, adds a warm anise flavour. Use two teaspoons.
Juniper berries, are spicier than myrtle. Use 4 berries.
Sage leaves, add a warm herbs flavour. Use 4 leaves

Herbal Wine Cup;

6 sprigs sweet woodruff,
1 bottle of dry white wine,
1/2pt freshly squeezed orange juice,
4 1/2ozs strawberries,
3 fl oz brandy,
7 fl oz ginger ale (chilled),
20 borage flowers.

Method;

Cut fresh woodruff sprigs and leave for 1 hour to bring out their vanilla flavour. Put into a bowl and pour on the wine and orange juice. Again leave for I hour then strain. Put the strawberries into a punch bowl. Pour on the infused liquid. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Pour in the brandy and the chilled ginger ale so as not to lose its sparkle. Serve in tall glasses, decorated with borage flowers.

Alternatives

Hyssop stems, add 6 sprigs of hyssop lightly crushed. Substitute the borage flowers for hyssop flowers. Hyssop has a warm herby taste which enhances the flavours in the wine cup.
Rose – scented geranium leaves. Use 12 leaves, lightly crushed to add a hint of rose to the wine cup.
Spearmint sprigs. Add 6 sprigs, lightly crushed. Mint with ginger is very refreshing.

Natural furniture polish;

half pt of water,
1 large handful of fresh lemon balm,
half pt pure turpentine,
2 ox beeswax,
2 oz soap flakes,
2 screw top tins.

Method;

Make an herb infusion by placing the lemon balm leaves and stalks into a bowl. Boil the water and pour over the leaves, cover and leave to stand for 15 minutes. Melt the beeswax and turpentine in a basin over a saucepan of simmering water. Take great care here when heating the beeswax and turpentine as it has a low ignition point. Place the strained infusion and soap flakes into another saucepan and heat gently. Cool both mixtures a little and then stir the two together to make a thick cream. Pour into the tin containers and seal. Allow to cool and set. Use a soft cloth to apply the polish to wood, metal, or painted surfaces, buff to shine with a clean soft cloth.

Alternatives;

Lavender stems, use either a large handful of dried herbs or 6 drops of lavender essential oil.
Sweet marjoram leaves, again a large handful, or 6 drops of essential oil.

Herb marinade chicken;

4 pieces of chicken,
legs or/and breast.
1 garlic clove finely chopped,
6 leaves of sage finely chopped,
1 tbs of lemon juice,
4 fl oz olive oil and 1 tbs soft brown sugar

Method;
drawing of parsley

Using a sharp knife cut slashes into the chicken pieces so that the liquid marinade will seep into the meat. Place the chicken pieces in a ceramic dish. Mix together the garlic, sage, lemon juice and olive oil and pour over the chicken pieces. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours. Per heat oven to 350F. Remove dish from refrigerator and drain off liquid. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with the brown sugar and cook for 40 minute, basting occasionally. Serve with crusty bread and wild rocket leaf salad.

Upholstery shampoo;

half oz of dried or fresh root of soapwort or 2 handfuls of fresh stems,
1 half pt of water.

If you wish to perfume the shampoo add 6 drops of essential oil to the strained liquid. Lavender, thyme, rosemary or rose scented geranium are all suitable.

Method;

Wash the fresh soapwort root thoroughly in water. If using dried soapwort, prepare it by soaking in water overnight. Put the soapwort into a saucepan with the water and bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, then allow to stand until cool. Strain the liquid into a bottle and store in the refrigerator. To use; dampen a sponge with the solution and rub the fabric lightly, allow to dry before applying again if necessary.

Borage ice cubes;

10 fresh borage flowers.

Method:
drawing of lavender

Pick the fresh flowers when they are fully open. To keep the ice cubes clear, use boiled water that has been left to cool. Fill the ice tray with the water, and then add a single flower to each section. Leave to set in the freezer for 12 hours. These flower cubes look great in drinks or added to fruit salads, or simply as decoration. Eatable flowers. PS: we had lots of borage last year.

Herb marinade chicken;

4 pieces of chicken, legs or/and breast.
1 garlic clove finely chopped
6 leaves of sage finely chopped,
1 tbs of lemon juice,
4 fl oz olive oil
1 tbs soft brown sugar

Method;

Using a sharp knife cut slashes into the chicken pieces so that the liquid marinade will seep into the meat. Place the chicken pieces in a ceramic dish. Mix together the garlic, sage, lemon juice and olive oil and pour over the chicken pieces. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours. Per heat oven to 350F. Remove dish from refrigerator and drain off liquid. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with the brown sugar and cook for 40 minute, basting occasionally. Serve with crusty bread and wild rocket leaf salad.

All purpose surface cleaner;

One handful of fresh sage,
half pt of water,
2 tbs baking soda,
8 drops of lemon juice.

Method:

Put the sage leaves and stems into a saucepan, add the water and bring to the boil, once boiled reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Then let it cool and then strain, before pouring into a bottle. Add the baking soda and the lemon juice. Seal the bottle and shake well and store in a refrigerator. This cleaner can be used to clean sinks and bathrooms and kitchen surfaces.

Alternatives;

2 handfuls of thyme sprigs.
1 handful of rosemary sprigs.

Window Cleaner;

1 handful of fresh or dried lemon verbena leaves,
8 fl oz water,
2 tbs white vinegar
3 drops of liquid soap.

Method;

Add the lemon verbena to a saucepan pour over the water and bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, then allow to cool down. Strain into a spay bottle and add the vinegar and liquid soap. Seal and shake. Apply this spray to your windows and use an old newspaper to increase the shine.

Alternatives;

1 handful of lemon balm.
1 handful of bergamot leave.

Herbs offer a greener alternative to commercial products. They are better for your health, hands and the air quality in your homes. Many herbs also have antiseptic qualities. Herbs have no damaging effects on our environment, they are easy to grow or obtain, inexpensive and no additives and not tested on animals and 100% natural ingredients.

Herb Fish Marinade;

1 lbs of cod fillet or other white fish,
8 fl oz white wine vinegar (cider will do),
juice of 1 lemon,
juice of 1 lime,
1 tbs sea salt,
2 garlic cloves sliced,
2 handfuls of finely chopped,
parsley,
drill,
lemon thyme,
mint and basil

Method;

Mix all the marinade ingredients together. Slice the fish into half pieces and place in a shallow dish. Pour over the marinade, cover and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours, turning the fish every half hour. Drain the fish after this time, add finely chopped chives and fennel leaves toss and then cover with good vegetable oil and cook in the oven 350F for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve on a bed of rice, mixed with peas and sweet corn.

Miscellaneous;

Sweet basil leaf fly repellent. Place a sweet basil plant by a window or just outside the kitchen door. If flies are persistent, crush a leaf to release a more pungent aroma.

Southernwood moth deterrent. Simply dry sprigs of southernwood on muslin, when dry lay whole branches between woollen clothes to deter moths. Fabric freshener. Simply place dried herbs between clothes, towels and sheets to make them smell wonderful.

Herbs for First Aid;

Aloe gel, for cuts, burns, sunburn and poison ivy. Arnica ointment for painful bruises and muscle pain. Chamomile, dried flower and leaf infusion to aid sleep and relaxation. As a cream to treat eczema and skin rashes. Comfrey ointment for bruises and cuts. Lavender oil for insect bites, stings, burns and headaches. It is also an antiseptic. Marigold as a cream for inflamed or minor wounds, skin rashes and sunburn. St John's Wort oil for burns, grazes and rashes. It can also be made into a cream to treat cramp and neuralgia. Lemon balm infusion for stomach upsets and for relaxation. The list goes on and on.

A list of other recipes is listed below. I will charge you £1:00p per recipe, for any request, money to be given to the Cardigan Ward Fund.

Elderflower cordial, Herb leaf salad, Mint vinaigrette, Herb flower salad, Herb oil, Herb vinegar, Herb custard, Herb fruit soup, Chilled herb sauce, Hot herb sauce, Roasted vegetables with herbs, Herb tart. Marigold cream, Comfrey ointment, Rosemary oil, Aloe gel, Facial steam, Herb mouthwash, Hair shampoo, Nail strengthener, Toning face pack, Herb foot bath, Herb eye compress, Herbal flea powder, Worming mixture. The last two are for pets.

Tip for free; Ant deterrent. Simply pick some pennyroyal leaves (Mentha pulegium) and where you have an infestation of ants, rub the surface with the leaves, hard to release the juice of the plant.

Let me know if any of you use any of the recipes. Better still let everybody know and write an article in the Caswell Chat. You may well have recipes of your own to share.

By AlanT Cardigan Ward