DILL
Dill is one of the few herbs where both the seeds and the leaves are used in cooking. The green leaves are feathery and light in appearance and their sweet flavor goes extremely well with fish dishes, particularly smoked salmon, whilst the brown seeds have a much stronger and pungent flavor and are used in pickling mixtures and Indian dal curries containing lentils or chickpeas. The dill plant is native to Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and Russia but is most popular in Scandinavian and Eastern European cuisines. Here dill is used to pickle fresh vegetables, flavor fish dishes or sauces that are to be served with fish and to add more depth to soups and simple potato dishes and breads.
Dill is related to other herbs including fennel, caraway and cumin, which are other herbs that are favoured in Eastern European, Scandinavian and Russian cooking.
Dill has a long history that dates back to ancient Egyptian times. Also favored by the Romans and the Greeks, dill was regarded as an indication of wealth, as well as being consumed for it's healing qualities.
Well known for it's ability to settle the stomach and relieve gas after eating, dill seeds were often placed on the table after big meals and banquets, so that dining guests could help themselves as need be.
A concoction of dill seeds and hot water sweetened with sugar or honey, often known as "gripe water", was given to babies that suffered colic and abdominal pains. This is most likely where the name for the herb originated, as the Old Norse word "dilla", actually means "to lull" or "to soothe".
Finally in folk customs, people would hang a bunch of dill by the entrance to their home, as it was believed that this would protect them from witches and witchcraft.
Dill is a very good source of calcium, which is necessary to maintain healthy teeth and bones. As well as calcium, dill is rich in manganese, iron and magnesium.
Dill is very easy to grow at home in your garden or window box. Therefore, if possible, it is best to use dill fresh from your garden for the best possible flavor.
Cut the dill as you need it and use in your homemade dishes.
You can also buy packets of freshly cut dill from your local supermarket. This will only stay fresh for about two days, as it is highly perishable. For the freshest results, keep the dill wrapped in a damp paper towel and place in the refrigerator.
Dill that has been dried can be bought in small jars, however the flavor is so much milder than fresh dill.
Dill is related to other herbs including fennel, caraway and cumin, which are other herbs that are favoured in Eastern European, Scandinavian and Russian cooking.
Dill has a long history that dates back to ancient Egyptian times. Also favored by the Romans and the Greeks, dill was regarded as an indication of wealth, as well as being consumed for it's healing qualities.
Well known for it's ability to settle the stomach and relieve gas after eating, dill seeds were often placed on the table after big meals and banquets, so that dining guests could help themselves as need be.
A concoction of dill seeds and hot water sweetened with sugar or honey, often known as "gripe water", was given to babies that suffered colic and abdominal pains. This is most likely where the name for the herb originated, as the Old Norse word "dilla", actually means "to lull" or "to soothe".
Finally in folk customs, people would hang a bunch of dill by the entrance to their home, as it was believed that this would protect them from witches and witchcraft.
Dill is a very good source of calcium, which is necessary to maintain healthy teeth and bones. As well as calcium, dill is rich in manganese, iron and magnesium.
Dill is very easy to grow at home in your garden or window box. Therefore, if possible, it is best to use dill fresh from your garden for the best possible flavor.
Cut the dill as you need it and use in your homemade dishes.
You can also buy packets of freshly cut dill from your local supermarket. This will only stay fresh for about two days, as it is highly perishable. For the freshest results, keep the dill wrapped in a damp paper towel and place in the refrigerator.
Dill that has been dried can be bought in small jars, however the flavor is so much milder than fresh dill.