Herbs for Health: Parsley – The versatile herb

Herbs for Health: Parsley – The versatile herb

Recipes · Reading Time : 4 mins ·
Pegie Lai

While parsley often gets relegated to a decorative role, it deserves a starring position on your plate. Its bright, peppery bite and subtle earthy notes add layers of complexity to a vast array of dishes.

tabbouleh parsley recipe herb health green

Source: Spice and Stiletto

Take this classic Lebanese salad to new heights with parsley. The fresh, peppery notes perfectly complement the bulgur wheat, tomatoes, and mint, creating a refreshing and flavourful side dish.

Tabbouleh

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/3 cup fine bulgur (cracked wheat)
  • 2 cups room temperature water to soak the bulgur in
  • 5 roma tomatoes finely chopped
  • 5 Persian cucumbers finely chopped
  • 3 bunches Italian parsley washed, stems removed, and chopped very finely
  • 4 green onions finely chopped; if they are small, use 5
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil adjust to taste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper adjust to taste
  • juice of 1-2 lemons adjust to taste

Instructions:

Step 1

Put the bulgur in a medium sized bowl and pour the water over it. Let soak for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes most or all of the water should be soaked up by the bulgur. With clean hands, take one handful of bulgur at a time, squeeze out the water into the sink or another bowl, then add the squeezed bulgur to a large bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

Chop all of the veggies and tomatoes as finely as possible: green onions, mint, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley. For the parsley, make sure to chop it very fine, just the leaves and no stems.

Step 3
Pour all of the veggies over the bulgur in the large bowl and mix together. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and mix to combine. Enjoy!

carrot cream herb parsley soup healthy recipe

Source: Family Style Food

An easy to make, smooth-textured carrot soup gives you all the healthy benefits of carrots, without cream or milk.

Creamy Carrot Soup with Parsley Almond Pesto

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter
  • 2 pounds (900 g) carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, honey or maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 6 cups (1.5 l) vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Spoonful of Pesto to serve

Instructions:

Step 1

Heat the butter and oil in a large saucepan until butter melts. Add the carrots, onion, celery, salt sugar and coriander. Stir the vegetables around and cook until they begin to release liquid and become softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Pour in 6 cups water or vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Cook about 15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Remove from the heat and cool for a bit, then puree the soup in a blender until completely smooth. Stir in lemon juice and taste for salt.

Step 3

Serve the soup with a spoonful of pesto and sprinkle with remaining parsley leaves and almonds.

parsley herb health ice cube tray garnish preserve

Bonus Tip: Want to preserve the parsley vibrant flavour? Freeze chopped parsley in ice cube trays with olive oil for quick and easy flavour bursts later.

Beyond the Plate: The power of parsley extends beyond culinary delights. Enjoy its benefits in other ways:

    • Infused Water: Steep fresh parsley sprigs in cold water for a refreshing and detoxifying drink.
    • Homemade Deodorant: Blend equal parts chopped parsley and baking soda for a natural and effective deodorant.
    • Skin Soother: Mash fresh parsley leaves and apply them to itchy bug bites or minor skin irritations for a calming effect.

Unlocking Flavour Potential: Experiment, explore, and unleash the hidden potential of this versatile herb hero. From garnishes to sauces, soups to homemade remedies, let your home-grown parsley add a touch of freshness and flavour to every aspect of your life!

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Bonus Read:

More than just taste, herbs can bring health and joy to our lives. Stay tuned for our complete collection of articles, recipes and more...

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