Marjoram

digitS'

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What are your uses for marjoram?

I have had oregano for years. It may have been in my garden back in the 70's. If so, I abandoned it but bought it again, about 20 years ago :confused:. I became a thyme cook in the early years so it isn't as tho I only go for mild herbs. In fact, I have never complained about oregano on my pizza, etc. Maybe I just need to dry it, or something ...

Marjoram was something I started about 5 years ago. It's suppose to be a "tender perennial" ... well, it was too tender just left uncovered in my unheated winter greenhouse. (I can do better :confused:!) By the time I lost it, I still hadn't made use of my marjoram.

The fragrance was so pleasant. Yes, I know that it's an oregano relative. I have it again in 2019 and intend to use it in pasta sauce, although I'm happy with basil ;). Marjoram will be used in some!

What else?

Here's what the Kitchn says: ... "(M)arjoram is floral and woodsy while oregano tends to be much more pungent and spicy...
Because its flavor is so delicate, it’s best to add marjoram at the very end of cooking. It’s a welcome addition to salad dressings, marinades, and sauces, as well as grilled and braised meat and stews."

A "delicate" flavor for meats? What kind of meat?

Steve
 

digitS'

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Well!

@seedcorn has responses elaborating on exotic spices and blends ... I have an herb in my backyard and nobody can say anything about it!

Okay, I went to a chef of one of the top restaurants in the area. He is also the son of a neighbor and I noticed that he was visiting, today ;). He says that he never uses oregano by itself and that marjoram can add nuance to it.

Then, he suggests adding marjoram near the completion of the cooking. His meat suggestion is with chicken breast or pork.

Finally, here is an idea that might work for a number of spices and that is to smell them together with what is cooking. If you like the fragrance in combination, it's likely that you will enjoy the combined flavors.

;) Steve
 

flowerbug

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Well!

@seedcorn has responses elaborating on exotic spices and blends ... I have an herb in my backyard and nobody can say anything about it!

Okay, I went to a chef of one of the top restaurants in the area. He is also the son of a neighbor and I noticed that he was visiting, today ;). He says that he never uses oregano by itself and that marjoram can add nuance to it.

Then, he suggests adding marjoram near the completion of the cooking. His meat suggestion is with chicken breast or pork.

Finally, here is an idea that might work for a number of spices and that is to smell them together with what is cooking. If you like the fragrance in combination, it's likely that you will enjoy the combined flavors.

;) Steve

as i am not doing all that much complicated cooking these days i don't have much to say about marjoram or even oregano. when i am cooking i'm using premade blends of spices that i've already tried in ways i know i will like. i'm not experimenting as much as i used to. a large portion of the reason for that is that i live with someone who just doesn't like spices or much of anything new or different. the food we make is good and i'm happy with it. :) i'm sure in the future i'll have more time for experimenting again.

one thing for sure, any herb gardens in the future are going to be container gardens.
 

Gardening with Rabbits

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Well, I grow oregano and I dry it. I did plant marjoram a few years ago and it was too tender. I lost it the first year. I am not sure why I planted it, but at this very moment I have marjoram essential oil on. It is supposed to take pain away among other things. I moved firewood today and my left wrist kind of hurts, so I decided to try it. DS has had tennis elbow now for over a year from disk golf and extreme frisbee, and his job he has to lift and carry heavy things. I have tried it on his arm and he said it did not help. I decided to try on my wrist and I do not feel anything, but it is a strong smell, kind of pleasant. On the back of the neck, it does kind of relieve stiffness. I never buy marjoram for cooking, but maybe I will if I can remember.
 

flowerbug

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i think i used some marjoram in a batch of gyros i tried to make some years ago... now i want that and some scrambled eggs for brekkie... :)
 

YourRabbitGirl

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Thanks for this tip!!! I have Marjoram, but I don't know how to use it. LOL This is very helpful!
 
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Thanks for this tip!!! I have Marjoram, but I don't know how to use it. LOL This is very helpful!
When in doubt, you could always dehydrate the leaves by tying 2-3 stems together and hanging them to dry.. Marjoram is quite medicinal. I'm no doctor by any means, but I have taken quite the interest in studying/researching medicinal herbs and marjoram has properties that can help with digestion, can help with protection against common illness (think flu, food poisoning, common cold etc), anti-inflammatory properties, etc. Once the leaves are dry (you could also use fresh leaves, I just like to store mine so I have it when I need it) you simple grind them up and put them in a tea infuser stick it in some hot water and voila! You have some Marjoram tea!
 

digitS'

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I've mostly have used the fresh leaves for tea.

It's very tasty!

It is also very tasty on roast beef. Still haven't used it on chicken. The plants didn't grow very large, hopefully it's been okay on the floor of the greenhouse and will grow more (& be used more) in 2020.

Steve
 

YourRabbitGirl

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When in doubt, you could always dehydrate the leaves by tying 2-3 stems together and hanging them to dry.. Marjoram is quite medicinal. I'm no doctor by any means, but I have taken quite the interest in studying/researching medicinal herbs and marjoram has properties that can help with digestion, can help with protection against common illness (think flu, food poisoning, common cold etc), anti-inflammatory properties, etc. Once the leaves are dry (you could also use fresh leaves, I just like to store mine so I have it when I need it) you simple grind them up and put them in a tea infuser stick it in some hot water and voila! You have some Marjoram tea!
Wow.. that sounds so nice.. I'm in love with cold tea.. Especially Milk tea. Can we mix it in milk tea too??
 
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