It’s not enough to just eat lots of salad and swap out meat for tofu when you cook plant-based meals. It’s about discovering a world of tastes, playing around with colorful foods, and using the power of what’s already in your kitchen. And what better way to level up your plant-based game than with homegrown herbs and spices? Growing your own food not only makes your food taste better, but it also helps the environment and makes cooking more important.
In this article, we will learn a lot about cooking with herbs and spices from your garden. This will give you ideas for making meals that are full of life and flavor, no matter how much experience you have as a chef. Let’s get started!
(Fun fact: We released a book on low-waste kitchens!)
Why Homegrown Herbs and Spices Make a Difference
Growing your own spices and herbs isn’t just a cool hobby; it can completely change your kitchen and way of life. Here are some reasons why you should put in the work:
- Unmatched Freshness
There’s nothing better than herbs that have just been picked. Herbs you buy at the store often lose their smell and strength while being shipped and stored. No matter if you need a few leaves of basil for your pasta or a handful of mint for your drink, when you grow your own, you can always get the freshest parts. More flavor comes from being fresh, and more flavor makes any dish taste gourmet. - Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
When you grow your own herbs and spices, you reduce the damage that shipping, packaging, and trash do to the environment. Those plastic clamshells that food stores use for herbs? Goodbye to them. Instead, you’ll have a steady supply of ingredients at home, which will help you live more sustainably and lower your carbon footprint. - Cost-Effective Cooking
Buying herbs and spices can get pricey, especially if you only need a little for a recipe. If you want to grow a garden at home, buying seeds or starting plants just once can give you food for months or even years. Also, drying or freezing extras will keep them from going to waste, which will save you even more money in the long run. - A Personal Connection to Your Food
There is a deep sense of satisfaction in harvesting ingredients that you have grown yourself. When you know that your food is the result of your care and work, cooking becomes more important. This connection can help you get creative in the kitchen and make your food even more special. - Aesthetics and Ambiance
Herbs grown at home are not only useful, they look great too! Pots of rosemary, thyme, and oregano all lined up along a windowsill can make your home look bright and fresh. Also, a lot of herbs and spices, like basil or lavender, smell great and make the room feel warm and welcoming.
By using herbs and spices that you grow yourself, you’re not only making your food taste better, but you’re also creating a more sustainable, tasty, and fulfilling way of life. A small change that pays off big time!
The Easiest Herbs to Grow at Home
You don’t need to be a master gardener or have a huge lawn to grow some herbs. Some are fairly easy to grow and do best in small places, like a sunny window sill or a shady balcony corner. Starting with herbs that don’t need much care gives you a better chance of success, even if you’re a beginner.
Basil is a great plant for people who are new to gardening. The fresh, sweet leaves are used to make pesto, pasta sauces, and salads. They give your food a new twist. Basil grows best in direct sunlight, so put it somewhere it can get lots of it. Do not let the earth dry out, and don’t forget to pinch off any flowers that appear. This will help the plant focus on making more leaves.
If you like tastes that are bright and sour, cilantro is another great choice. This herb grows best in cooler weather, so it’s best to plant it in the spring or fall. It goes well with tacos, salsas, and stews. It’s known for bolting quickly, which means making flowers and seeds. But don’t worry—this is normal and part of its natural cycle. Even better, you can let it bolt so you can get the coriander seeds later.
It is almost hard to kill mint, which is a very strong herb. It can be used in many different ways in the kitchen because of its great taste in teas, smoothies, and sweets. If you don’t watch out, mint can quickly take over a garden bed, so it’s best to put it in a pot. This way, you can enjoy its fast growth without having to worry about it pushing other plants out of the way.
Thyme is a great herb to add a touch of bitter and earthy taste. This herb doesn’t need much care and can survive in dry conditions, so it’s great for people who forget to water their plants often. Thyme tastes great with soups, roasted veggies, and even bread. A sunny spot is best for it, and it doesn’t need much water to do well in dry conditions.
Last but not least, oregano is a classic herb that goes well with pizza, pasta, and meals that are influenced by the Mediterranean. Like thyme, it does best in warm, sunny places and doesn’t need much water. Oregano blooms and gives you food once it gets going. You can dry its leaves and store them in your spice rack for a long time.
Basil, cilantro, mint, thyme, and oregano are the five easiest herbs to learn how to use. They can be used in a lot of different ways in cooking without requiring much work. Start with just one or two, and you’ll feel ready to garden as quickly as your plants do.
Spicing It Up: Homegrown Spice Ideas
Growing herbs isn’t too hard, but growing your own spices can feel really cool. Don’t worry, though—it’s not as scary as it sounds! Here are some spices that you might want to grow:
- Chili Peppers: Perfect for homemade chili flakes or hot sauce.
- Turmeric: A golden spice that’s great for curries and lattes. Just plant the rhizome in moist soil and watch it grow.
- Ginger: Another rhizome that thrives indoors. Use it in stir-fries, tea, or baked goods.
- Garlic: Grow in fall, harvest in summer, and enjoy roasted garlic or garlic powder.
How to Infuse Plant-Based Meals with Homegrown Flavor
Growing herbs and spices is just half the fun—using them in the kitchen is where the magic happens! Let’s talk about how you can make your plant-based meals shine:
1. Season Everything
When you’re cooking with plants, herbs and spices are your best friends for adding taste. Here’s how to make good use of them:
- Put in fresh herbs at the very end of cooking to make it taste brighter (chives use parsley).
- To add flavor, add dried herbs and spices at the start, like oregano in tomato sauce.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things. For a great sauce, mix basil, rosemary, and thyme.
2. Make Herb-Based Sauces
Any dish can be made better with a sauce, and herbs are the stars here. Try these:
- Pesto: Blend basil, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and nutritional yeast for a creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Chimichurri: A zesty mix of parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil.
- Herb Tahini: Mix tahini with parsley, lemon juice, and a touch of garlic for a dreamy drizzle.
3. Infuse Oils and Vinegars
You can make your food taste more gourmet by putting fresh herbs into olive oil or vinegar. Putting rosemary or basil leaves in your favorite bottle for a week is all it takes. You can use these to dress salads or brush on top of food.
Plant-Based Recipes to Try with Homegrown Goodies
We’re going to use our herbs and spices now that you know the basics. To help you plan your next plant-based meal, here are some simple recipes:
1. Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad
A refreshing salad perfect for summer picnics or meal prep.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halves
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup chopped parsley and mint
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine quinoa, veggies, and herbs in a bowl.
- Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Toss and enjoy!
2. Herb-Infused Vegetable Soup
A cozy, hearty soup packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp dried thyme and oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until fragrant.
- Add carrots, celery, tomatoes, broth, and dried herbs.
- Simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, garnish with parsley, and serve.
3. Spiced Chickpea Stir-Fry
A protein-packed, one-pan meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and add chickpeas and spices. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Toss in veggies and stir-fry until tender.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or quinoa.
Pro Tips for Homegrown Success
Here are some tips to make sure your herb and spice garden stays healthy:
- Prune Regularly: Cutting back plants helps them grow and keeps them from turning woody.
- Rotate Pots: If you’re growing indoors, rotate pots so all sides get sunlight.
- Dry Your Herbs: To keep extra herbs fresh, dry them in a cool, dark place and put them in containers that won’t let air in.
Cooking with plants doesn’t have to be bland or boring. You can make any meal taste great by adding herbs and spices that you grow yourself. Not only will your food taste better, but you’ll also feel closer to it, which is something everyone wants.
So, get some seeds, get your hands dirty, and begin your journey to making tasty meals from plants. The earth and your taste buds will thank you.
Happy cooking and gardening!
