Customer Reviews

Basil to Thyme: Culinary Endeavors from the Garden to the Kitchen

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you have an herb garden or just like to cook with a lot of herbs you will enjoy this book of recipes that feature herbs. Each herb gets its own chapter with recipes that focus on that particular one. The herbs covered in the book include Basil, Dill, Oregano, Coriander, Tarragon, Chives, Rosemary, Bay Leaf, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Savory, Fennel, Garlic, and Ginger. As a particular fam of Dill I had to try the Dill butter with Garlic (great of fresh bread) and Dill Dip. It even includes some complete meal plans that focus on a particular herb. The recipes are clear and easy to follow, the additional information on each of the herbs and how to use them is excellent, and the final results delicious. Basil to Thyme: Culinary Endeavors from the Garden to the Kitchen is highly recommended for those who want to add the use of herbs to their repertoire of cooking knowledge.

First of all, you may say that I am biased because Mr. Tim Haas is my Uncle, but after testing some of the recipes that he and his partner, Jan Beane, have unearthed, there is no way you cannot be biased because these recipes are absolutley wonderful. This book is simply delicious in so many ways. Tim has cooked many times for our family and each time we all salivate in anticipation. Now through this book we can try and create some of the taste budd pleasing dishes he does.

I must say as well that I am by no means talented in the kitchen and in no way, shape, or form educated in herbs, so if I can make these recipes you know it MUST be a good book. One of the most simpliest and easiest, yet versitile recipes is for Essence, which I think is on page 27. The spreads you can make for bread from this are incredible. You will never eat bread the same way again and butter alone will just not due.

There are so many different options and so many different ways to utilize herbs, you just must buy this book and give them a try. It's an adventure in cooking you will not regret taking!

If you love to cook with herbs and have the desire to learn more about planting herbs and using them to create aromatic dishes, then Basil to Thyme will give you many ideas for summer meals and winter feasts. Tim and Jan have included herbal lore and historical facts. They also give excellent advice on what to plant where. After reading this book I realized I needed to plant certain herbs together for the best results.

Chapters 5-19 are dedicated to individual herbs. Each chapter begins with an introduction and planting advice. I learned about planting a border of marigolds around an herb garden to discourage pests or why you should never plant potatoes next to cucumbers. Apparently you should always plant sage and rosemary together. If you want to attract butterflies, then a very common herb can be planted.

There is a section on container gardening and my herbs are now happily growing in terra-cotta pots from Italy. Collecting your own herbs is immensely satisfying and takes the hassle out of cooking with fresh herbs. Once you have the herbs planted, you don't have to put lists of fresh herbs on your shopping list.

Another benefit is that the herbs are always fresh and they accessible for spontaneous cooking adventures. Instead of using dried basil, you may find yourself collecting fresh aromatic leaves from your garden. You can buy a bay tree for bay leaves.

If you love tomato soup, there are many variations in this cookbook. The recipes that looked the most interesting:

Tomato Bisque
Dill and Potato Salad
Olive Paste
Cucumber-Lime Salsa
Chive Herb Butter
Garlic Stir Fry
Ginger and Pear Muffins
Fresh Ginger Ale
Shrimp with Feta Cheese
Chicken Manicotti with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

The recipes in Basil to Thyme encourage you to cook with your own herbs, but most of the herbs used in this book are readily available in your local grocery store. Even if you only have a very small space to grow herbs, it is possible to have a beautiful little herb garden that is sure to bring you a sense of comfort. If you have cats who enjoy chewing on herbs, plant them in the top of a two-tiered planter. That was my most recent solution and my cats seem to be ignoring the herbs and focusing more on the plants in the lower section.

~The Rebecca Review

This is one of my favorite books on herb cookery. The recipes are unpretentious, the ingredients easy to find and the results delicious. I own an herb shop and have had the occasion to try many of the recipes on my customers---always with great response. You've got to try the Basil and Garlic Spread!

There simply is no substitute for the use of fresh herbs in cooking. This book awakens the inner chef and gardener in even those of us who are "culinarily challenged" and blessed with two brown thumbs. Jan and Tim are to be applauded for bringing together the skills of growing and masterfully using herbs in one work. The structure of the book is very logical, allowing the reader to choose recipes based upon favorite herbs or to experiment with less familiar ones. I really appreciate the handy menus, shopping lists and recipe cards. I hope they continue to cook and write!

Jan & Tim have written a book really worth having.
The recipies are indeed user friendly, my wife and I have enjoyed many of them and have passed them on to friends.
The idea of using herbs with so many different dishes has opened up to us a number of recipes that have kept us looking forward to each use of the book.
The dips, soups, salad seasonings are my favorites I use a different one almost daily.
Thanks for the wonderful taste treats guys keep up the great work!!!

Malcom & Connie Stavis