How to Cook With Rosemary

Rosemary is an almost evergreen-type leaf that grows in thick bunches. It has a variety of popular uses in simple dishes including salads. Rosemary grows in temperate climates and is relatively easy to find fresh. Follow these steps to flavor your dishes with this fragrant herb.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Cut branches from the rosemary plant.
2. Wash the branches thoroughly in water at a decent water pressure to get dirt or particulates off of the plant.
3. Strip the thin, flat leaves from the branch.
4. If you will be using rosemary as a spice or a background ingredient, cut the leaves into fine bits.
5. Use promptly or store dried. Rosemary, being a dry herb, will keep for some time in the right storage conditions. Experts recommend storing rosemary in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, rosemary must be thoroughly dried and kept away from light and heat.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rosemary leaves whole in a skillet of frying potato wedges or minced on a tray of baked French fries. Rosemary can also be added to potato chips.
• Rosemary can be great in salads. However, if you use dry rosemary, mince the herb first, unless you enjoy chewing on the leaves.
• Other culinary uses of rosemary include soups, sauces and bouillons.
• Rosemary is also said to have a variety of health values including diuretic and anti-carcinogenic properties. It is sometimes used to soothe the stomach or in potions for joint therapy.