National More Herbs, Less Salt Day
Add some flavour by using more herbs and less salt on #MoreHerbsLessSaltDay
29 August is National More Herbs, Less Salt Day and it encourages everyone, no matter your age or overall health, to use less salt.
The number-one culprit that adds a lot of unnecessary salt to our diets is too much processed food, and one way to reduce salt intake is to use fresh herbs. This will add more flavour to your food and you will be able to improve your health considerably.
Not everybody has a herb garden, but the good news is, most grocery stores stock fresh herbs in their fresh-produce section. This time of the year is perfect for fresh basil, parsley and cilantro (coriander), but fresh rosemary, sage, dill and others can also be used to add flavour to every meal.
Some of the best ways to use these herbs:
• Parsley is a mellow herb with a grassy flavour that lets the other flavours shine through and mixes well with garlic and basil. It is a great finisher for soup, pasta and fish.
• Sage is a strong, woody herb and adds delicious flavour to veggies such as carrots and squash. It is also fantastic in poultry. It adds a classic flavour to soups and stews and can also be used as stuffing and in potato dishes.
• Rosemary is a fragrant, spiny-leaf herb commonly used in Mediterranean cooking. When it is added to lamb and chicken it enhances the dish considerably, making it very delicious. Olive oil can be infused with rosemary and used as a dip for fresh bread, and, if you want to create a classic potato dish, roast cubed potatoes in olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper.
• Cilantro (coriander) is commonly used in Mexican food and is great in fresh salsa, chopped or sprinkled in tacos and quesadillas.
• Basil is an Italian herb that comes in a few varieties, including Thai, lemon and regular. It is the main component in pesto and is also delicious when chopped and added to salads, marinara sauces or on pizza.
• Dill is a mellow herb, but it is not just for pickles. It is delicious with fish, potato or mixed into a salad. Vegetable soups and homemade dips can also benefit from the flavour of this herb. Although not too strong, it has a distinct, almost sweet flavour that complements proteins and vegetables.
Celebrate today by giving the salt shaker a rest, and try adding fresh and healthy herbs to your meals. You will find the salt is not missed and you enjoy the flavour more!
Post on social media using #MoreHerbsLessSaltDay.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
