Fresh leafy herb dressings, sauces, compound butters and dips?

HiDelight

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it is time ..the fresh herbs are out of control and they need to meet their demise!

please share your fresh leafy herb recipes for sauces, dressings, dips and compound butters (I am not sure if there is a thread on this I did a search but did not see it?)

This is the recipe I use for Green Goddess dressing

if you have never made your own salad dressings it is time! this is something that should never ever be purchased!!! if you have a garden you have an endless variety of salad dressing :)

1 cup mayo (if you make your own this is even better just make the mayo on the blender then add the following right into your mayo...if not just buy the one you like)
1 cup of Daisy sour cream or Fage yogurt
at least a cup of fresh herbs that include flat leaf parsley and chives or baby onions or baby garlic) I also always toss some mint and oregano ..basil when I have it ..cilantro ..any of the leafy green herbs go well ..I have even tosses baby spinach in!
1/2 lemon squeezed
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh fine ground pepper

puree until smooth and enjoy!



please share :)
 

karanleaf

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Oooww sounds yummy, I have herbs that I need to be triming but I have not made butters, dressings, or any vinigars with them as such, just teas. So I will be checking in for more yummy recipes, and if I come across something I will share it :clap

:happy_flower Karan :D
 

vfem

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Oooooooh, yummy!!!!

I have a spinach dip recipe:

1 10oz package frozen spinach, cooked, well drained (Or fresh, Cook down and drain 2lb of fresh spinach for the same thing.)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 cup diced parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh Oregano or Thai Basil (Both nice)
1 dash sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (I flip flop on using it and not, last time I replaced it with ground sun dried tomatoes instead)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
 

GrowinVeggiesInSC

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Here are some ways I use my herbs.

Cucumber Dill Salad:

Slice up cucumbers.
Add 1 cup of sour cream.
Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
Add as much dill as you like (I am a dill FREAK so I put in lots).
Mix everything in bowl, set in fridge, covered, overnight.
Pull out the next day, mix it all again (the cucumbers make it watery, but soooo tasty).
Serve before dinner, with dinner or have as a snack. I LOVE this stuff, and it's a great way to use the dill that is currently starting to taking over the herb garden.

For your cilantro - Bell Pepper Pineapple Salsa

1 green, 1 red, 1 orange bell pepper.
1 can finely chopped pineapple.
1 jalapeno (if you like a little hotness).
Lots of cilantro.

Chop all of the above into very small pieces and mix together. Eat with tortilla chips. It's SO good!


One more:
The other day I made a tuna noodle casserole. I used fresh herbs from the garden and it was so so good!

I can't remember all the ingredients, but it was the recipe off of the Campbell's Cream of Celery soup can. I added herbs to the casserole itself as well as the crunch brown butter topping. It was great.
Herbs used were parsley, dill and lemon thyme. They made it taste like something from a restuarant rather than plain ol' casserole.

Of course we made pesto with the basil.

I am currently adding herbs to everything I make for dinner. I should have bought more parsley, because I use that in everything.

I'm excited to see what people post, I'm always looking for new things.
 

HiDelight

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yum!! thanks for the recipes keep em coming! herbs are wonderful aren't they?

how about this one you guys

veggie dip (or chip dip)
1 package of cream cheese
1 cup of sour cream
1 packet of Sazon (the one with cilantro and achiote)
big handful of fresh herbs (chives, parsley and mint go well in this but any combo to include cilantro or whatever)
fresh cracked pepper
1/2 tsp -1 tsp of red chile (or however much cayanne you like)

start first with the herbs chop them up well then add the rest and just whirl in the foood processor until smooth
 

HiDelight

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compound butter (great on steak!)

1 lb of good butter softened
handful of mixed herbs
3 cloves fresh garlic smashed
dash of chile or cayanne
dash of worchestersauce
fresh cracked pepper

mince the herbs and garlic well then mix into the butter with the cracked pepper
roll into a log wrapped in plastic wrap then chill in the fridg

when you want some just slice a off and use!

it is very good on a grilled steak after you take it off the grill just put a piece of the compound butter on top and serve :)
 

Purple Strawberry

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HiDelight said:
compound butter (great on steak!)

1 lb of good butter softened
handful of mixed herbs
3 cloves fresh garlic smashed
dash of chile or cayanne
dash of worchestersauce
fresh cracked pepper

mince the herbs and garlic well then mix into the butter with the cracked pepper
roll into a log wrapped in plastic wrap then chill in the fridg

when you want some just slice a off and use!

it is very good on a grilled steak after you take it off the grill just put a piece of the compound butter on top and serve :)
I have never heard of compund butter, I will have to try it out.
 

vfem

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I have never heard of compund butter, I will have to try it out.
Compound butter is any butter you infuse with other flavors to still use as a butter spread.

I've seen some that even include spinach, squash, onion.... just about any herb!

I like making a simple garlic one, and using it with fresh baked bread when company comes.

(Use a food processor to mix together, and keep the butter COLD when adding.)
 

HiDelight

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I have always gotten my butter to room temp before mixing in the herbs then log rolled it and chilled it (this was how my son learned in culinary school so I just followed his lead)
I never did try it cold will have to try a new way and not wait until it is soft
 

HiDelight

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dont think I am crazy but herbs make great smoothies :)

try putting a handful in any smoothie ..

mint, parsley and basil all go well with fruits

talk about nutritional package!

(I know it is not part of my thread since I said dips ect)

but it is a great way to use up the herbs!
 

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