Wednesday, July 17, 2013

From My Herb Garden: Oregano


 Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum) grows wild on the mountains in Greece. Its spicy warm flavor makes it popular for pizzas and tomato sauces. In my region (west coast of Canada), it's a perennial that spreads slowly. I dry it for the winter, and use it fresh in the summer and fall.


 Oregano and garlic marry well in this Chicken Marinade recipe, given to me by a friend. Marinated for a short or long time, and grilled until done, but not dry, chicken breasts taste wonderful. Using a meat thermometer ensures cooking to just the right temperature.


A gougère is a savory French appetizer. Made like cream puffs, Gougères are seasoned with herbs and cheese and the puffs are small and served unfilled. Rumor has it that they can be stored in the freezer and pulled out and reheated in the oven, but I wouldn't know. They all disappear when I serve them. 

Herb lore says that if you anoint yourself with oregano before sleeping, you'll dream of your future spouse. I don't know how that might work, but I do know that I like using oregano in a variety of dishes. How do you use oregano?

12 comments:

  1. Those little puffs look delicious!

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  2. Anonymous8:23 AM

    Your oregano looks wonderful, same with those dishes - yum!!

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  3. It all looks delicious Lorrie. I am growing oregano for the first time this summer and haven't used it yet. I use dried in pasta dishes a lot though. I also have a plant of basil and put a few leaves on our haddock the other night before I grilled it. It was delicious!

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  4. It all looks delicious! I don't have oregano this year, and I don't know how I missed it. I haven't ever tried those little puffs, but I might have to now.

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  5. The hills of Greece must smell wonderful...

    I use oregano in Italian dishes, but don't care for it in other dishes.

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  6. Hi Lorrie,

    Isn't fresh oregano so pretty? And that fragrance, that taste...how wonderful that you can grow it there in my native Canada!! You must be an excellent cook from the looks of those tasty treats! I have read about gougères in the past and am very curious to whip up a batch as I melt over anything 'cheesy', especially if it is tweaked with herbs or just because the name sounds so fabulously French!!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    Poppy

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  7. I just ate the most delish sweet potato chili from a recipe that I found on another blog...and then I see your lovely recipes, and I am drooling.

    I need to make both of your recipes as soon as I can...

    Drooling over here.

    Jen

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  8. Fresh oregano must be amazing! I have never used any except dried...and we cook a lot of Italian dishes. I should see if I can buy some fresh at the store! Hugs!

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  9. I mostly use it in Italian dishes. I love the fragrance as well as the taste. Now, the lore about the spouse is interesting. Maybe I should stick some in my two daughters' pillowcases and query them about their dreams. I'm nosy like that.

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  10. I love having oregano growing in my garden but I rarely cut any for cooking these days - your cheese puffs look like the perfect use for a few sprigs, and I bet I could manage to squirrel some away in the freezer, too! I'm definitely saving that recipe.

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  11. They look tasty, especially the puffs. Shame I have just eaten as it dilutes the hunger senses.

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  12. I love oregano too!

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