Saturday, October 8, 2011

Rosemary Rolls!




Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, a dense, hearty Italian-type roll so full of flavor you'll want to bake a second batch. The combination of the rosemary and sea salt crystals is addictive! If you've missed eating bread, you'll enjoy making these rolls--found in my upcoming cookbook, Delightfully Free. I think you'll be as excited about these homemade rolls as I am.

In the meantime, why not grow your own Rosemary plant? Of all the herbs used for cooking, Rosemary is one of the easiest to grow. In fact, it is hard to kill! An attractive, small, evergreen shrub with small blue flowers, it thrives outside, even in moderately poor soil, in full to part sun exposure. Indoors, it grows well in a pot in direct or indirect sunlight. Rosemary's wonderful pine-like fragrance and rich, pungent flavor along with its health benefits make it indispensable to any kitchen. The distinct flavor of rosemary is a fabulous addition to seafood, lamb and poultry dishes, egg dishes, soups, sauces, and breads. My book even offers a delicious recipe for "Cafe Nuts" in which Rosemary plays the star role.

The wonderful aroma and flavor of Rosemary is associated with fine food, but according to whfoods.com, "...it could just as easily be associated with good health. Rosemary contains substances that are useful for stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation, and improving digestion. Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks. In addition, rosemary has been shown to increase the blood flow to the head and brain, improving concentration. So, the next time you enhance the flavor of some special dish with rosemary, congratulate yourself for a wise as well as delicious choice." Fresh Rosemary is a good source of vitamin A, fiber and contains manganese, iron and calcium. Enjoy experimenting with rosemary!