Everything you Need to Grow Your Own Herbs
When we replace oregano we can choose to use fresh or dried herbs. Best substitute is marjoram, followed by thyme, rosemary, sage and even dried basil. Often a mix is a good idea with mixed herbs or Italian Seasoning being great.
Both basil and bay leaves are essential to many Mediterranean dishes and can grow with a little care quite happily in the UK and colder climates.
Tarragon has a stronger flavor profile to dill and will stand up to the heat of cooking, whereas dill will wilt if used fresh in stews or soups. Dill tastes like a gentle citrus grassy flavor with hints of anise, tarragon is strong and astringent anise licorice flavor with an earthiness.
Kaffir lime, also called makrut can be used as leaves in a decoction or chopped thinly. It can also be used as the peel or rind of the fruit used in salads and herb rubs and even as a paste for curries. The fruit is also used in pickles, where the cooking process takes a lot of the bitterness away.
Both curry and bay leaves will bring an added depth of flavor to a dish with curry leaves bringing a light citrus and nutty flavor and bay bringing pine with mint and a hint of freshness. Adding them to any dish will enhance the flavor of other ingredients.
Gardener’s may say rosemary and thyme have similar growing needs, being drought tolerant and sun loving. Requiring adequate drainage but little else from the soil. Chefs will have an understanding of he depth of flavor from rosemary and the pine notes from both. The subtle citrus from lemon thyme.