Customer Reviews

The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs

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Just when I think I have all the books about herbs that I could ever want, along comes another must-have book to tempt me! I couldn't resist The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking With Herbs. Edited by long-time herbalist Katherine K. Schlosser with contributions from many other noted herbalists, this is one of the best, most authoritative guides I've seen recently.

The book is divided into three sections. Part One contains horticultural information about each of the 63 culinary herbs grown in the National Herb Garden, a long-time project of the Herb Society of America (HSA). If you're new to herbs, you'll appreciate the reliable, easy-to-read information for each herb. It will help you decide which plants and/or varieties are hardy in your area, which will grow on your kitchen window sill, and what kind of culture the plant needs. But even if you're knowledgeable about the "useful plants," you're sure to discover something new and interesting in each of the entries. You'll learn, for example, why caraway is often called "German cumin," why dill and fennel seeds were once known as "meeting seeds," and how to turn a woman into an ideal housewife (for the answer, check out the mustard entry). There's also a section on herbal trees, such as cinnamon. (Okay--'fess up, now. Bet you didn't know that this favorite spice comes from the bark of a tree!)

If Part One of the book is informative, Part Two--the recipe section--is simply scrumptious. These recipes, all contributed by members of HSA, were selected for their originality and taste appeal. Each was tested, and the tester's notes included with the recipe. From appetizers (Rosemary White Bean Puree, Herb-Roasted Garlic) to desserts (Saffron Cake, Lemon Basil Tea Bread), there's an herb-flavored dish that will make any meal special.

Part Three is a special bonus: a tour of the National Herb Garden in Washington D.C., with wonderful photos and helpful plant lists for each of the main gardens. The book is fully documented and includes a comprehensive bibliography. It belongs on your bookshelf.

Susan Wittig Albert is the best-selling author of the China Bayles' Book of Days and Spanish Dagger (China Bayles Mystery), the latest in China Bayles herbal mystery series.

Here is a long overdue book combining BOTH growing information and delicious tested herb recipes. Detailed enough for both the novice herb gardener and the experienced one. The layout is easy to read and provides access for identifying recipes utilizing a specific herb.
In this way, gardeners can readily use the "excess" dill, fennel, basil, etc. from their kitchen herb gardens in a number of creative recipes.

Although happy with the information on individual herbs and wonderful recipes, this is not a book I could recommend to a beginning herb gardener because NO color drawings or photographs of any of the herbs described.

This book is wonderful. I am enjoying the recipes and all the helpful hints. It is well written and a must for all herb growers, both novice and master gardeners.

This is a very good book for people who are looking for a practical guide on the use and growing of herbs. It is not a flashy book but has information that I have not found elsewhere such as lists of herbs grown in the National Herb gardens. Although the recipes are not extensive, the ones included are interesting and unusual.
This is a wonderful book to add to a collection of herb books but could easily be the only book a person would need to get started with herbs.

The book is a great source of information about incorporating fresh herbs into your every day cooking. After looking for some time, I finally found a comprehensive cookbook for cooking with herbs.

Ordered many of these to give as holiday gifts and it was a hugh success! A book filled with excellent information as well as delightful and tasty recipes.

I expectated plenty of good evidence-based information on growing herbs from the Herb Society of America. What I got was 100 pages of general info on every herb out there and then 150 pages of unproven recipes. I have better herb information from most other sources. I would never have bought this book off the shelf. I felt like I was reading a church fundraising cookbook What a disappointment. I expected better from the Herb Society of America.

Outstanding and delightful! This book offers readers tried and true recipes with herbs but also provides informative herb gardening information. A wonderful gift and must-have for anyone interested in learning more about the cultivation and culinary uses of herbs!

This is truly a guide, not a master reference work. The Herb Society is a fine organization whose roots, as it were, lie in my college town, Washington, D.C. Home to the National Arboretum as well, Washington does so much good for the country once you get out of the Capitol Mall area. Think of it as the Smithsonian for herbs.

Originally a women's organization, without whom it would never have survived or flowered, it now commands part of our national heritage and a working site for continued research and activity. This book is theirs and has all you need to know about them and why and how to visit.

As for the rest of the book, it succeeds where recent books have not, for the gardener and the cook both. Nicely organized, it discusses the herbs in an intelligent manner in one section. In the other, you are presented with recipes tagged to their local units and authors.

Please note this book is limited in scope to only those herbs growing in the National Herb Garden. There are plenty here, but this book does not pretend to be exhaustive. I must note that others with grander insinuations fall short of what you get here. The information is good and useful on both the gardening and cooking fronts. Also not this is not a cookbook, so recipes are simple rather than explanatory. They come from many contributors and therefore cannot have a single or detailed voice. Nor is it a book of detailed horticulture; they tell you the basics to grow these herbs.