Basil to Thyme [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Jan Beane (Author), Tim Haas (Author) "Herbs can he planted in their very own garden, in the vegetable garden, or even in containers..." (more)
Key Phrases: hard crusted bread, winter savory, Monterey Jack, Other Stuff, Spice List (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
One of the best books on cooking and gardening...I am delighted to add this book to my personal collection.  -- NATHALIE DUPREE, TV CHEF AND COOKBOOK WRITER

One of the most comprehensive we've ever seen on herbs and healthful cooking, and we highly recommend it... -- DONNA AND JIMMY DEAN

Product Description
Two of America’s most loved pastimes, cooking and gardening, come together in this delightful collection of recipes.

The first chapters of the book teach readers how to plant and cultivate their own fresh herbs. The authors show that we can all enjoy the wonderful scent of lavender, the refreshing, cool aroma of mint, or the delicate taste of chervil...no matter how large or small our herb garden.

The remaining chapters highlight the history, lore, and health benefits of a featured herb, followed by recipes to accent and feature its wonderful fresh flavor. A few extra pages in each chapter allow green thumbs and chefs to add, modify or create their own recipes. A planting calendar concludes the book, giving both experienced and novice gardeners a quick and easy planting guide for a successful herb garden.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc. (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932783113
• ISBN-13: 978-1932783117
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #479,446 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to cooking with herbs, February 4, 2005

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Delicious, October 14, 2007

By	Janel Burger (Conover, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Scent of Thyme..., June 18, 2005

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

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