Rosemary - seasoning with a rich noble aroma. She is very fond of the inhabitants of the Mediterranean countries: Italy, France and Greece. Rosemary not only gives a unique taste to food, but also brings health benefits, because it contains a large number of biologically active components. We will tell you which dishes add the popular spice.
What is good rosemary seasoning?
Externally, rosemary resembles coniferous branches. Fresh, it has a strong aroma, which intertwines notes of pine, eucalyptus, camphor and lemon. The smell and taste of dried rosemary are revealed during the heat treatment, as well as in combination with vegetable oil, cheese and other fatty foods.
The following beneficial substances are present in the composition of the plant:
- Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C, PP. Thanks to them, rosemary (especially fresh) is useful for the skin, vision, and brain. It relieves muscle tension and stress, speeds up metabolism and helps to lose extra pounds.
- Macro and microelements. The spice contains a lot of potassium and magnesium, which are good for the heart and blood vessels. 100 g of dried seasoning contains 128% of the daily allowance of calcium - the main macronutrient necessary for building bones. Also in the plant there is iron, zinc and selenium.
- Essential oils. They give spices antiviral, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. Raise a person’s mood, relieve fatigue.
- Flavonoids. Protect the body from cancer, improve blood circulation and vascular tone.
Thus, rosemary definitely deserves a place in the diet of most people. Spice can be added to almost any dish.
Rosemary seasoning - how much to add to dishes?
The amount of rosemary in the finished meal depends on the specific recipe. But usually 1 fresh twig or 1 tablespoon of dried seasoning is enough for a dish that includes 4 servings.
Overdoing with spice is not worth it, as it has a sharp taste. In addition, in excess of rosemary exacerbates appetite.
When to add rosemary to meat?
Rosemary is most suitable for cooking meat dishes. It is better to add dried spice in the form of twigs or powder to meat at the beginning of cooking, so that as a result a more saturated aroma is obtained. Seasoning will give pork, beef and chicken flavor notes of game, as well as drown out the specific flavors of duck and lamb.
Fresh leaves, by contrast, should be added at the end of cooking (1-2 minutes before serving), since they contain a lot of essential oils. If you put rosemary in the meat immediately, the dish will turn out to be bitter.
Where to add fresh rosemary?
Fresh rosemary is often added to stewed vegetables, mushrooms, soups. Aromatic leaves are especially well combined with green onions, zucchini, tomatoes, potatoes. Also, this plant aromatizes vegetable oils, cheese, alcoholic beverages.
If you want to make delicious dishes with fresh rosemary, check out the recipes below.
Baked potato
A simple and very satisfying dish. To prepare it, you will need the following ingredients:
- potatoes - 4–5 pieces of medium size;
- fresh rosemary - 1 bunch;
- vegetable oil - 200 ml;
- salt.
Peel the potatoes and cut into even slices. Fry them quickly in vegetable oil until golden brown. Grind the rosemary. Sprinkle them with slices. Salt the potatoes.
Put slices on a baking sheet covered with foil or parchment paper. Place in the oven, preheated to 160 degrees, for half an hour. Serve potatoes to the table as a standalone dish or side dish for meat.
Baked zucchini
A great dinner option for those who adhere to the principles of proper nutrition, but do not want to go hungry in the evenings.
To prepare a meal, prepare the following foods:
- zucchini - 3 pieces;
- fresh rosemary - 1 bunch;
- butter - 60 g;
- salt;
- ground black pepper.
Peel the zucchini, cut into slices 1.5–2 cm long. Smear them with butter, salt and pepper. Sprinkle them with vegetables.
Put the squash on the prepared pan. Put in the oven, preheated to 200 degrees, for half an hour.
Spicy tomato soup
This soup is well suited for people on a low-calorie diet, as well as vegetarians. Cooking it is very simple.
The following ingredients will be needed:
- tomatoes - 1 kg;
- fresh rosemary - 1 sprig;
- vegetable broth - 1.5 liters;
- garlic - 2 cloves;
- vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. the spoon;
- salt;
- dry paprika or adjika.
Cut each tomato into 4 pieces. Peel the garlic cloves, pass through a crush. Place the vegetables on the prepared pan. Bake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 40 minutes.
Cool the baked tomatoes with garlic, then transfer to a saucepan. Add chopped rosemary, vegetable oil, salt and spices to taste. Pour in vegetable stock and place on the stove. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook the tomato soup for another 5 minutes. Before serving, chopped fresh dill or green onions can be added to the dish.
Flavored Vegetable Oil
Fresh rosemary can be used in cooking to flavor any oil, but it gives the most pleasant trail to olive. The technology includes the following steps:
- Pour 800–1000 ml of oil into the pan and heat over low heat to a temperature of 80 degrees.
- Mash two branches of spice in your hands and place them in prepared glass containers.
- Pour the cooled oil into the container and seal tightly.
Infuse the oil for 2-3 weeks in a dark place at room temperature. Then it should be filtered. Shelf life is 6 months. Rosemary will not only give the oil a noble flavor, but also protect it from oxidation.
Where do dried rosemary add?
Finding dried rosemary on sale is much easier than fresh leaves, which is why it is widely used in cooking. Add to meat and fish, marinades and sauces, pastries. Seasoning does not go well with bay leaves, but it makes an ideal flavoring ensemble with oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, garlic and fresh parsley.
Listed below are recipes to help you prepare delicious meals.
Golden Chicken
The dish is well suited for a festive table. It is unlikely to leave guests indifferent.
For cooking, you will need the following products:
- broiler - 1 pc.;
- lemon - 1 pc.;
- rosemary - 6 dried sprigs;
- garlic - 6 cloves;
- vegetable oil - 150 ml;
- butter - 50 g;
- salt;
- ground black pepper.
Combine chopped sprigs of rosemary, garlic cloves, lemon juice, vegetable oil, pepper and salt in one bowl. Rub the resulting chicken marinade. Put it on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 45-50 minutes.
Remove the chicken and grease with butter. Put in the oven for another 15-20 minutes, during which time a golden crust forms on it. Allow the dish to stand for another 10-15 minutes before serving.
Fish baked in foil
Another diet, but very tasty dish. To prepare it, you should prepare the following ingredients:
- sea fish (for example, trout or mackerel) - 700 g;
- rosemary seasoning - 2 tbsp. spoons;
- lemon - 1 pc.;
- olive oil;
- salt;
- any spices for fish.
Cut the lemon and zest into thin slices, put on the foil. Place peeled fish on top. Spread it with olive oil, salt, season, sprinkle with rosemary. Wrap and place in the oven, heated to 180 degrees, for 30-40 minutes. Serve with fresh vegetable salad.
Rosemary Cupcakes
Such an unusual dessert will appeal to real gourmets. If you want to cook it, take the following ingredients:
- wheat flour - 1.25 cups;
- chicken eggs - 3 pcs.;
- sugar - 100 g;
- vegetable oil - 80 ml;
- low-fat cream - 60 ml;
- baking soda - 10 g;
- chocolate chips or raisins - 50 g;
- rosemary seasoning - 3 tbsp. spoons;
- salt - a pinch.
Beat eggs with sugar using a mixer until lush foam forms. Add butter and cream. Stir and whisk lightly with a fork. Add flour, salt. Knead the dough. Add chocolate chips or raisins, rosemary, mix thoroughly again.
Grease cupcake tins with vegetable oil. Place the dough in them and put in the oven, preheated to 180 degrees. After about 40–45 minutes, the rosemary muffins will be ready.
Thus, rosemary is a universal seasoning that fits most dishes. She emphasizes pleasant taste shades, and eliminates specific ones. And rosemary is good for health, as it has a rich vitamin and mineral composition. Dried seasoning is sold in supermarkets all year round. But if you often want to add fresh spice to your food, you can grow the plant on a windowsill.