3 Ways to Use Garden Herbs in Fall Recipes

Written by Miriam Heath Katz, Education and Curriculum Intern

When talking about urban agriculture, people might think of raising backyard chickens, raised growing beds, or even indoor vertical farms. The beauty is that it can look different from person to person.  Urban agriculture is about taking pieces of traditional farming practices and modifying them to fit your own urban setting.  One of the easiest ways to get into urban farming is with windowsill herb gardens. They take up very little space and require very little maintenance.  Most grocery stores or nurseries have potted herbs that are ready to be used on the day of purchase! Below are three new ways your windowsill herb garden can be used in festive fall recipes. 

Herb Butter

Herb butter, or sometimes called compound butter, is simply butter that has been mixed with herbs.  It can be shaped into a log or other molds for an extra level of pazazz.  Add it on homemade rolls, incorporate into mashed potatoes, or drizzle over oven roasted squash.  To make herb butter you will need: 

• Room temperature butter
• Herb of your choice, we recommend sage, thyme, chives, or tarragon
• Salt

1. Make sure your butter is at room temperature.  This is crucial because it will make incorporating the herbs easier. 
2. Rise, dry, and finely chop your herbs. 
3. Add the herbs to your room temperature butter. 
4. Mix until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the butter.  Add salt to taste.  

Mint Tea 

Tea is a wonderful beverage to have during the fall time; it keeps you warm, soothes sore throats, and is a great way to unwind at the end of a long day.  Mint is an easy herb to grow, it does well in containers, grows well in the shade, and can be propagated to grow new plants to share with friends.  To make mint tea you will need:

• 2 cups filtered water
• 15 mint leaves
• 1-2 teaspoons of sugar or honey (optional sweetness)
• 2 slices of lemon (optional) 

1. Bring the water to a boil
2. Remove from heat when boiled and add mint leaves
3. Steep for 3-5 minutes or until reached desired strength
4. Add sweetener and lemon slices if desired 

Recipe from: https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-fresh-mint-tea-recipe-766391 

Stovetop Potpourri 

Want to fill your home with the smells of fall without burning a toxic chemical or spraying synthetic scents? This herbal potpourri is perfect for creating those cozy fall vibes and making your house smell like a starbucks pumpkin spiced latte. To make this fall potpourri you will need:

• 3-4 apple slices
• 1-2 lemon or orange slices
• 1-2 cinnamon sticks
• 1-2 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 vanilla bean (optional) 
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme 
• 1-2 bay leaves (fresh or dried) 
• 6 cups of water 

1. Fill your pot with water
2. Add in all of the other ingredients 
3. Bring it to a boil
4. Once boiled, turn off the head and let it steep
5. Alternatively the same ingredients can be placed in a crockpot on low 

Recipe from: https://www.thefreshcooky.com/fall-simmering-spices/ 

References

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