There’s no better time than the season for outdoor grilling.
The rich, juicy smells are sure to get your appetite going and make you nostalgic of summertime festivities past as well!
A great way to spice up any food without salt or sugar is by adding some fresh herbs onto hot coals before serving them up on their respective plates – not only does it take advantage aromatic essential oils in plants but also adds new flavors many people wouldn’t think possible from just using dried versions alone.
Add The Herbs To The Coals First
Before adding the food to the hot coals, toss a handful of Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender or any combination of fresh herbs that you will be using in the food.
Then add the food quickly and close the lid.
The smoke from the herbs will not only season your food but will release the essential oils into the air.
For example, if you choose lavender, which is good on many types of fish and poultry, you will also receive the relaxing benefits of the essential oils contained in the leaves or flowers as the hot coals release them into the air.
When To Add Fresh Herbs To The Food
When adding fresh herbs to food that is being grilled, I find that the proper time to add them is according to what food is being prepared.
For corn and potatoes, I add them in the beginning.
When To Add Herbs To Fish Or Poultry
When it comes to fish or poultry, try adding the fresh herbs the last 15 to 20 minutes.
Another trick that I have found useful is to make an herb butter or marinade.
This is a great way to incorporate some extra flavor into your meal without having to pick the fresh herbs as you are grilling.
Grilling Garden Fresh Vegetables
Vegetables are also an important part of our daily diet and delicious when cooked on the grill.
My favorite vegetable to grill is corn.
Along with providing essential nutrients to our system, they are delicious and refreshing.
The summer months give us the best opportunity to experience fresh produce in addition to the fresh herbs.
If you’re able to grow your own vegetables, you can easily grill the majority of them on the grill without issue.
As long as you clean them well, you won’t have to do too much else to prep and prepare them.
Tips For Cleaning Vegetables Before Grilling Them
If you cannot grow your own, be sure to carefully wash the produce you buy with soapy water so that no unwanted residues remain.
The exception to this rule is herbs.
They should not be washed, just quickly rinsed under cold water so that the essential oils don’t rinse away.
What Is Companion Planting
Companion planting has also become quite the rage in the past few years, instead of a basic herb garden, try an herb and vegetable garden.
For example, try planting tomatoes, geraniums, and basil together.
The geraniums will help the tomatoes to turn color faster and produce more, while basil has always been a good companion plant for tomatoes.
It also makes it more convenient when picking.
Herbs That Go Well Together In A Garden
When planting your garden this year, consider the combination of herbs that work best for you.
Some combinations might include thyme, rosemary and sage.
Think of the foods you cook the most and how you like to season them.
Then consider the herbs and the growing requirements plus the height of the herbs to decide which ones to plant together.
The Best Time Of Year To Plant Herbs
You want to plant herbs when the ground is no longer frozen.
You can actually start your herb planting as early as spring if you’re planting right outside in the soil.
To learn even more about growing your own herbs, check out my post on Herb Gardening Tips For Beginners.
Combining Herbs And Vegetables For Recipes
Just add a few leaves of basil to your tomatoes and prepare the recipe as you normally would.
Combining them during preparation allows the basil oils to flavor the tomatoes without much additional work on your part and after all the summer months are meant for relaxation.
So, as you can see the possibilities for grilling and using herbs are endless.
There is an abundance of recipes out there for cooking with herbs and fresh produce on the grill.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get out there and let the smells of fresh herbs and produce on the grill take over your neighborhood and help you relax after a long day.
How To Make Herb Butter
The easiest way I have found to do this is to pick fresh herbs in the morning and dry them.
I usually put them in the oven at about 350 degrees until they are dry, however other methods such as hanging them or using a dehydrator or microwave will work.
Once they are dry, the next step is to make the herb butter.
I add about two tablespoons of butter to a bowl and sprinkle approximately one teaspoon of dried herbs on top of that.
I then use my electric mixer to whip the butter and herbs together.
You can do this by hand if you prefer.
Also, feel free to experiment with different amounts of herbs and butter.
You will need to refrigerate the flavored butter for at least an hour so the flavors can mix.
You can make this butter up to 24 hours ahead of when you need it.
If you are new to using herbs, or maybe just wondering what goes well together, take a look at this chart for some suggestions.
Favorite Herb And Food Combinations
Food Herb
Pears Rosemary
Strawberries Chocolate Mint
Corn Dill
Potatoes Basil, Oregano and Thyme
Fish Dill, Lemon Verbena
Chicken Parsley, Pineapple Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Lettuce Dill
Bread, Rolls Lavender, Parsley
Grilled Herb Chicken
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons each pineapple sage and parsley
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons white wine
- Garlic salt
- Seasoning salt
- Pepper
- Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Place the charcoal in the grill and light. While the coals are heating up, marinade the chicken in the white wine.
- Once the coals are hot, place a roasting pan on top of the coals and melt the butter. Add the olive oil and then the roast including the marinade, turn to coat it on all sides with the oil and butter mixture.
- Cook this for a few minutes until the pan begins to dry up, and then fill the pan approximately ½ full of water.
- Add the herbs to the top of the chicken and the seasonings to taste then cover the pan.
- Cook approximately an hour or until the chicken is tender. I like to baste my chicken approximately every twenty minutes during this time.
- You can also add some potatoes and carrots to the chicken if you like. I usually do this at the beginning and sprinkle the herbs and seasonings over them as well.
Keywords: chicken recipes, recipe, grilled chicken recipe, herb chicken recipe
Dilled Corn on the Grill
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- Fresh corn on the cob (4 ears)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon dill per ear
- Pepper
Instructions
- Combine the butter and lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Whip into a smooth mixture that is spreadable.
- Then peel the corn husk back and remove the silks.
- Wash the corn and spread the above mixture on the corn before sprinkling the dill on each ear.
- Cover the corn back with the husks and wrap them in foil.
- Lay this directly on the coals and turn every 15 minutes for an hour.
Keywords: corn on the cob, grilled corn, grilled corn on the cob
Side Dish Recipes
Easy Canned Sweet Corn Recipe
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Cast Iron Skillet In Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
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Sauteed Pea Recipe With Basil, Parmesan And Sesame
This sauteed pea recipe seasoned with basil, parmesan and sesame is perfert for special occassions or as an extra special side dish through the week!
Sous Vide Baby Carrots In A Honey Butter Sauce
This Sous Vide Baby Carrots In A Honey Butter Sauce is delicious and easy to make. The secret to success is to make these ahead of time and reheat them!
How To Make Fried Green Tomatoes
I love fried green tomatoes in season. It is hard to find them in restaurants and the ones at fair are not the same. Here is my fried green tomato recipe!
Cast Iron Potatoes Au Gratin
This cast iron potatoes au gratin recipe is delicious and ideal for long term storage in mylar bags. It is the perfect side dish to stock your pantry with.
Easy Dutch Oven Potatoes Recipe
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Herb Roasted Cast Iron Red Potatoes Recipe
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Gluten Free Green Bean and Pasta Casserole Recipe
Are you looking for healthy dinner ideas? Try this gluten free green bean and pasta casserole recipe. It's easy to make and delicious.
Homemade Stuffing Recipe Using Roman Meal Bread
This homemade stuffing recipe using Roman Meal Bread is not only delicious, but it is easy to make. Plus it's made with whole grain bread!
Fresh Garden Salad With Herbs And Flowers
Jazz up a fresh picked garden salad with colorful edible flowers and add a dash of flavor with fresh organic herbs from your garden.
