29 August is National More Herbs, Less Salt Day and everyone is encouraged to use less salt, no matter your age or overall health.
The number one culprit for adding a lot of unnecessary salt to our diets is excessive consumption of processed food.
Reducing your salt intake is easier if you use fresh herbs to 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 that most grocery stores stock fresh herbs in their produce section.
This time of the year is perfect for fresh basil, parsley and coriander, but fresh rosemary, sage, dill and other herbs can also be used to add flavour to every meal.
Some of the best ways to use these herbs are:
– Parsley is a mellow herb with a grassy flavour that lets the other flavours shine through. It mixes well with garlic and basil and is a great finisher for soups, pasta and fish.
– Sage is a strong, woody herb and adds delicious flavour to veggies like carrots and squash. It is also fantastic in poultry. It adds a classic flavour to soups and stews. It can also be used as stuffing and in potato dishes.
– Rosemary is a fragrant, spiny-leafed herb commonly used in Meditarranean cooking. Lamb and chicken are delicious when this herb is added. Olive oil can be infused with rosemary and used as a dip for fresh bread. To create a classic potato dish, roast cubed potatoes in olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper.
– Coriander is commonly used in Mexican food and is great in fresh salsa, and chopped or sprinkled in tacos and quessidillas.
– Basil is an Italian herb that comes in a several varieties, for example, Thai basil, lemon basil and regular basil. 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 that is not just for pickle recipes. 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 strong it has a distinct, almost sweet flavour that complements proteins and vegetables.
To celebrate, put down the salt shaker and try adding fresh healthy herbs to your meals. You will find you don’t miss the salt, and you’ll enjoy the flavours more!
Post on social media using #MoreHerbsLessSaltDay
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