Hallelujah, a convert!

Discussion in 'Herb Gardening' started by marlingardener, Oct 2, 2020.

  1. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    The wife of a friend called today and asked if she could come over, look at herbs growing, and perhaps learn how to use them in cooking. Her husband (our friend) has been told to cut back on salt, and he says "food doesn't taste good without salt."
    She is coming on Saturday, if weather permits, to see herbs, smell herbs, and taste herbs. I'm preparing a small cookbook for her to use with various meats and vegetables using herbs instead of salt.
    She is a convert, now we'll see of we can convert her husband. When he tastes chicken breast with Tuscan rub--we'll have a believer!
     
  2. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2005
    Messages:
    29,088
    Likes Received:
    6,277
    Location:
    Scotland
    If anyone can convert him with herbs it's you Jane. :fingerscrossed: He'll soon be a believer.
     
  3. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    Well,, cutting back doesn`t mean eliminate the salt ! But he may replace some of the salt with the Tuscan Rub ect !
     
    Sjoerd likes this.
  4. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Mart, I didn't mean he should eliminate salt completely. Many foods, mostly meats, naturally contain salt. I use salt in baking and occasionally in stews. Salt has its place in our diet, but some folks go a bit overboard! I think my friend is going to get back on board and use less salt.
    If Tuscan Rub doesn't convince him, nothing will . . . .
     



    Advertisement
  5. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    That is what I meant ! But as a person ages they can not taste salt as they could when a few years younger ! My mother lost her taste for salt in later years ! Some of her dishes I couldn`t eat and she was an excellent cook ! Some medications and health conditions can affect the way food tastes ! Wouldn`t hurt to ask her/his health provider !
     
  6. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    7,074
    Likes Received:
    6,813
    Location:
    New England
    Hallelujah is right!!! If anyone can help it is you!

    My experience with salt is a lot like my experience with sugar. The more I use of it, the more I seem to need in order to taste it. The less I use of it, the more I can taste it in things. For example, for health reasons I have had to restrict my use of sugar. I now find that traditional sweets are w-a-y too sweet for me. They taste like ALL sugar (picture me puckering my lips like one does with too much lemon!), Making it hard to taste the other ingredients. I have discovered that broccoli stems are sweet, for example. It took time to wean myself from sugar.

    Now I know that some sugar, particularly in baking, is a flavor enhancer, bringing out the taste of butter, etc. So I have had to play with how to balance it all.

    MG, good luck with your project!!! I am rooting for the Tuscan Rub. BTW, can you give us the recipe for that? Where you are in TX, can you grow herbs year round?
     
    Melody Mc., Sjoerd and marlingardener like this.
  7. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Cayuga, you are so encouraging!
    https://www.gardenstew.com/threads/tuscan-rub-recipe.42222/
    It's easy to make, keeps well, and adds so much flavor to so many dishes.
    Here in central Texas I have some herbs going year round--marjoram, thyme, sage. The annuals like basil and parsley I harvest and chop and freeze. Same taste, just the texture is different, but when added to a cooked dish, it doesn't matter.
     
    Sjoerd and Cayuga Morning like this.
  8. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    7,074
    Likes Received:
    6,813
    Location:
    New England
    Thanks MG. I have just printed it out. I have all those ingredients, fresh from my garden right now! What could be more convenient?
     
    Sjoerd and marlingardener like this.
  9. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    I was so happy today! I got a request for some dried herbs from a lady that I hardly know. She has been put on a low sodium diet and her doctor (yes, a medical doctor!) told her to use herbs or salt substitutes when cooking. She remembered that I had given herbs to a friend, and she called to ask if I'd "sell" her some. I told her no, I'd "give" her some. I printed out how to use the herbs and she picked up three jars of dried herbs. I told her I had some fresh in the barn if she ever wanted fresh herbs.
    This could grow, and I'm not speaking of just the herbs!
     
  10. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    7,074
    Likes Received:
    6,813
    Location:
    New England
    You are on a roll MG!
     
    marlingardener and Sjoerd like this.
  11. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2005
    Messages:
    29,088
    Likes Received:
    6,277
    Location:
    Scotland
    I wish there were more people like you Jane.
     
    Cayuga Morning and Sjoerd like this.
  12. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Oh Eileen, be very careful what you wish for!
     
    Cayuga Morning likes this.
  13. SuzieBee

    SuzieBee New Seed

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2020
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    16
    My best friend in the kitchen has been garlic powder... it’s helped my husband and I cut back on salt so much and we looove garlic and other herbs, especially basil and thyme.
     
    Sjoerd and Cayuga Morning like this.
  14. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    7,074
    Likes Received:
    6,813
    Location:
    New England
    MG:. What Eileen said.
     
    marlingardener and Sjoerd like this.
  15. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    11,382
    Likes Received:
    13,391
    Location:
    Central Texas, zone 8
    Update on the herb lady. She now gives classes to garden clubs, at community gardens, and even to groups who are working through health problems. She is an ambassadoress! I just knew this could grow:heart:. I'm so proud of her.
     

Share This Page