Parsley Recipes

There are many ways to use Parsley in your cooking, it is not just a garnish. Try mixing chopped parlsey through mashed potatoes or adding it to fishcakes or the breadcrumb mix you coat chicken or fish in, but the classic parsley recipe is Tabouleh. Tabouleh is a delicious salad accompaniament, but goes well with chicken, lamb and fish dishes as well.

Tabouleh recipe

Ingredients (serves 6)

135g (3/4 cup) fine burghul
80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice
60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
Sea salt flakes & freshly ground black pepper
3 ripe (about 340g) tomatoes, halved, deseeded and finely chopped
1 lebanese cucumber, halved lengthways, deseeded, cut into 1cm cubes
3 green shallots, ends trimmed, thinly sliced
4 cups loosely packed coarsely chopped fresh continental parsley
2/3 cup loosely packed coarsely chopped fresh mint

Method

1. Place the burghul in a medium bowl. Add enough cold water to cover and set aside for 1 hour to soak.
2. Drain burghul through a fine sieve and use your hands to squeeze out any excess moisture. Spread burghul over a baking tray lined with paper towel and set aside for 30 minutes to dry.
3.Combine the lemon juice and oil in a screw-top jar. Season with sea salt flakes and pepper. Shake until well combined.
4. Combine burghul, tomato, cucumber, green shallot, parsley and mint in a large serving bowl. Drizzle with dressing and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Australian Good Taste - October 2004 , Page 77

Simple container herb garden

The easiest way to grow herb plants is in a small container garden. You will need,

1. A suitable container. Anything you can imagine will do. Ideally it will have drainage, or you can punch holes in the bottom to provide it.
2. Potting compost, from your compost bin or special herb growing mix.
3. Herb plant seedlings. Buy them from your local garden centre or get them from a friend. Get a selection of herb plants you already know how to use initially.
4. Pebbles or similar as a decorative mulch.

Now build your garden,

1. Fill the bottom of the container with rubble if it is very big. Top with compost.
2. Plant the herb seedlings. Try and put tall herb plants in the middle and surround it with smaller ones. Ground cover type herbs will fill in the gaps.
3. Cover the top with your chosen mulch.
4. Water well.

Your herb garden is ready. Put it outside in the sun, or under shade if you lice in a very hot area. In cold areas it will live well on a table close to a window or in your conservatory.

These herb gardens need only a little care. Make sure they stay damp, although herb plants are very tough and will thrive with some neglect.

The container herb garden shown here has parlsey, thyme, chives, rosemary and oregano.