Spice of the Month: Thyme
With over 60 varieties, thyme adds flavor to many different cuisines. You can buy either fresh or dried thyme at your local grocery store. Although both will add a nice depth of flavor to your dish, fresh thyme has a stronger flavor that many people prefer over the dried variety. Try adding it to your jarred pasta sauce to enhance the flavor, or throw it in an omelet for a more sophisticated-tasting breakfast. It also goes great in soups and fish dishes as well as on beans.
Random fact: in ancient Greece, thyme was a symbol of courage and strength, with “the smell of thyme” being a very high complement.
Herb Snapshot
Taste: Fresh, peppery
Tip: Add at the beginning of the cooking process
Price: Fresh thyme = $1.99/.75 oz; Dried thyme = $3.79
Shelf Life: Fresh thyme = 1 week, Dried thyme = 6 months
Storage: Fresh thyme should be wrapped in a damp towel and kept in the refrigerator.
Dried thyme should be in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place.
Amount: 1 tablespoon fresh = 1 teaspoon dried
Pairings: Cheese, Chicken, Fish, Meats, Mushrooms, Onions, Stews, Potatoes
Avoid: None
Cuisines: French, Italian, Greek, Spanish, Middle Eastern, Jamaican
Some recipes to get you going: