Rosemary in the kitchen: how to use the seasoning so that it is appropriate?

Rosemary is a seasoning with a rich, noble aroma. Residents of Mediterranean countries: Italy, France and Greece love it very much. Rosemary not only adds a unique taste to food, but also has health benefits because it contains a large number of biologically active components. We will tell you which dishes this popular spice is added to.

What's good about rosemary seasoning?

Externally, rosemary resembles coniferous branches. When fresh, it has a strong aroma, intertwined with notes of pine, eucalyptus, camphor and lemon. The smell and taste of dried rosemary are revealed during heat treatment, as well as in combination with vegetable oil, cheese and other fatty foods.

The plant contains the following beneficial substances:

• Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C, PP. Thanks to them, rosemary (especially fresh) is beneficial for the skin, vision, and brain. It relieves muscle tension and stress, speeds up metabolism and helps you lose extra pounds.
• Macro- and microelements.The spice contains a lot of potassium and magnesium, which are good for the heart and blood vessels. 100 g of dried seasoning contains 128% of the daily requirement of calcium - the main macronutrient necessary for building bones. The plant also contains iron, zinc and selenium.
• Essential oils. Spices give antiviral, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and tonic properties. They lift a person’s mood and relieve fatigue.
• Flavonoids. Protect the body from cancer, improve blood circulation and vascular tone.

Thus, rosemary definitely deserves a place in most people's diets. The spice can be added to almost any dish.

Rosemary seasoning – how much to add to dishes?

The amount of rosemary in the finished food depends on the specific recipe. But usually 1 fresh sprig or 1 tablespoon of dried seasoning is enough for a dish that includes 4 servings.

You should not overdo it with the spice, as it has a strong taste. In addition, in excess quantities, rosemary increases appetite.

When to add rosemary to meat?

Rosemary is best suited for cooking meat dishes. It is better to add dried spice in the form of sprigs or powder to the meat at the beginning of cooking, so that the result is a richer aroma. The seasoning will give pork, beef and chicken flavor notes of game, and will also drown out the specific flavors of duck and lamb.

Fresh leaves, on the other hand, should be added at the end of cooking (1-2 minutes before serving) as they contain a lot of essential oils. If you put rosemary into meat right away, the dish will turn out bitter.

Where do you add fresh rosemary?

Fresh rosemary is often added to stewed vegetables, mushrooms, and soups. The aromatic leaves go especially well with green onions, zucchini, tomatoes, and potatoes.This plant is also used to flavor vegetable oils, cheese, and alcoholic beverages.

If you want to make delicious dishes with fresh rosemary, check out the recipes below.

Baked potato

A simple and very satisfying dish. To prepare it you will need the following ingredients:

• potatoes – 4–5 medium-sized pieces;
• fresh rosemary – 1 bunch;
• vegetable oil – 200 ml;
• salt.

Peel the potatoes and cut into even slices. Quickly fry them in vegetable oil until golden brown. Chop the rosemary. Sprinkle it over the slices. Salt the potatoes.

Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Place in the oven, preheated to 160 degrees, for half an hour. Serve potatoes at the table as an independent dish or a side dish for meat.

Baked zucchini

An excellent dinner option for those who adhere to the principles of proper nutrition, but do not want to go hungry in the evenings.

To prepare the dish, prepare the following products:

• zucchini – 3 pieces;
• fresh rosemary – 1 bunch;
• butter – 60 g;
• salt;
• ground black pepper.

Peel the zucchini, cut into pieces 1.5–2 cm long. Coat them with butter, salt and pepper. Chop the rosemary. Sprinkle it over the vegetables.

Place zucchini on prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven, preheated to 200 degrees, for half an hour.

Tomato soup with spices

This soup is good for people on a low-calorie diet, as well as vegetarians. It's very easy to prepare.

You will need the following ingredients:

• tomatoes – 1 kg;
• fresh rosemary - 1 sprig;
• vegetable broth – 1.5 liters;
• garlic – 2 cloves;
• vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. spoon;
• salt;
• dry paprika or adjika.

Cut each tomato into 4 pieces. Peel the garlic cloves and pass through a crusher. Place vegetables on prepared baking sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 40 minutes.

Cool the baked tomatoes and garlic, then transfer to the pan. Add chopped rosemary, vegetable oil, salt and spices to taste. Pour in vegetable broth and place on the stove. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer the tomato soup for another 5 minutes. Before serving, you can add chopped fresh dill or green onions to the dish.

Flavored vegetable oil

Fresh rosemary can be used in cooking to flavor any oil, but it gives the most pleasant scent to olive oil. The technology includes the following stages:

1. Pour 800–1000 ml of oil into a saucepan and heat over low heat to a temperature of 80 degrees.
2. Mash two sprigs of spices thoroughly in your hands and place them in prepared glass containers.
3. Pour the cooled oil into a container and seal tightly.

You need to infuse the oil for 2-3 weeks in a dark place at room temperature. Then it should be strained. The shelf life will be 6 months. Rosemary will not only give the oil a noble flavor, but also protect it from oxidation.

Where do you add dried rosemary?

Finding dried rosemary on sale is much easier than fresh leaves, so it is widely used in cooking. Add to meat and fish, marinades and sauces, and baked goods. The seasoning does not go well with bay leaf, but makes an ideal flavor ensemble with oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, garlic and fresh parsley.

Listed below are recipes to help you prepare delicious meals.

"Golden" chicken

The dish is well suited for a holiday table. It is unlikely to leave guests indifferent.

For cooking you will need the following products:

• broiler chicken – 1 pc.;
• lemon – 1 pc.;
• rosemary – 6 dried sprigs;
• garlic – 6 cloves;
• vegetable oil – 150 ml;
• butter – 50 g;
• salt;
• ground black pepper.

Mix chopped rosemary sprigs, crushed garlic cloves, lemon juice, vegetable oil, pepper and salt in one container. Rub the resulting marinade over the chicken. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 45–50 minutes.

Remove the chicken and brush with butter. Place in the oven for another 15–20 minutes, during which time a golden crust will form on it. Let the dish sit for another 10-15 minutes before serving.

Fish baked in foil

Another dietary, but very tasty dish. To prepare it you should prepare the following ingredients:

• sea ​​fish (for example, trout or mackerel) – 700 g;
• rosemary seasoning - 2 tbsp. spoons;
• lemon – 1 pc.;
• olive oil;
• salt;
• any spices for fish.

Cut the lemon and zest into thin slices and place on foil. Place cleaned fish on top. Coat it with olive oil, salt, season, sprinkle with rosemary. Wrap and place in the oven preheated to 180 degrees for 30–40 minutes. Serve with a salad of fresh vegetables.

Rosemary cupcakes

This unusual dessert will please true gourmets. If you want to prepare it, take the following ingredients:

• wheat flour - 1.25 cups;
• chicken eggs – 3 pcs.;
• sugar – 100 g;
• vegetable oil – 80 ml;
• low-fat cream – 60 ml;
• baking soda – 10 g;
• chocolate chips or raisins – 50 g;
• rosemary seasoning - 3 tbsp. spoons;
• salt - a pinch.

Using a mixer, beat eggs with sugar until fluffy foam forms. Add butter and cream. Stir and fluff lightly with a fork. Add flour, salt. Knead the dough. Add chocolate chips or raisins, rosemary, mix thoroughly again.

Grease muffin tins with vegetable oil. Place the dough in them and place in the oven, preheated to 180 degrees. In about 40-45 minutes, the rosemary cupcakes will be ready.

Thus, rosemary is a universal seasoning that suits most dishes. It emphasizes pleasant flavors and eliminates specific ones. Rosemary is also good for health, as it has a rich vitamin and mineral composition. Dried seasoning is sold in supermarkets all year round. But if you want to often add fresh spice to your food, you can grow the plant on the windowsill.