Thursday 5 April 2012

Herbs...naturally good for body and environment

I headed along to Sungai Buloh  nurseries today with the sole intention of getting the Cat Whiskers plant. Seems that it is a natural pest repellent. Now that I have one in my garden, I would say it's true with the distinctive odour the plant excretes.

But look at what I ended up buying! Host of herbs! Actually I have been looking for these herbs for quite sometime now so when I saw them right in front of my eyes, I had to have them all. I really like the nursery  Delima Tani at Lots 49 and 50 of the Selangor Green Lane. The plants here are grown from seeds and they are organic. Let me tell you they taste delicious too! You may want to check out this place on your next visit there. However, the plants sold here are comparatively slightly expensive than others down the lane. Its their organic nature, I would say which boost the price. But if you are like me, if it's quality food you are looking for, then this is the place to go. 

The houris had to create a temporary makeshift in the corner of the garden to stack the herbs. She really wasn't prepared for this. It's alright for now. Most important is to get these herbs flourish and healthy.

Sweet Basil

According to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), sweet basil is good for stomach and food digestion. 
Rosemary

Looks similar to lavender. You have to sniff it to tell. Great for soups. Kak Chombi, a dear friend, shared a simple yet delicious recipe for baked chicken with rosemary. Marinate chicken in lemon juice with zest, garlic and rosemary for half-hour before putting in the oven. Sprinkle in salt. 
Lemon Balm

Lemon balm looks similar to mint. So how to tell the difference? Tear the leaf and sniff. If it smells of lemon, that is it, otherwise it is mint. Great news for lovers of iced lemon tea. Just crush a few leaves into the hot lemon tea till it is fragrant before adding in the ice. Or if you like it hot, you may omit the lemon juice because the lemon balm itself is enough. To soothe sore throat, put about 5 leaves into a mug of hot water until the leaves become soft before adding a few drops of honey. Sip gently and savor every drop of it. Thanks to my good friend, Natila, for sharing these tips and delicious concoction. 
Cat Whiskers

My one and only natural pest repellent. Please refer to Autumn Belle's web page here for a host of cat whiskers' natural goodness. Thanks Ms Belle, my garden looks brighter and healthier now.
Lavender

Sought after for its fragrance, the flowers are a natural air freshener for the home and closet. Do check out Kelly's blog here for more ideas on lavender. 
Mint

Great for tea especially Earl Gray or any of your favorite tea. Boil tea leaves then add-in the mint leaves and sugar to your liking. My mom would pound the mint leaves together with tamarind paste, dessicated  coconut, shallots,green chillies and salt into a thick green mint sambal and make it as a condiment for chicken curry and briyani rice. Or you can try my homemade 'mojito' drink. Blend 7-up, mint leaves,  calamansi (limau kasturi) juice and ice together. Wholesome goodness and its 'halal'.


That's how the houris consumes the above herbs. Have any other ideas? Do share and thanks :-)

15 comments:

  1. Hi Ash. Glad that u've gone a step forward by adding herbs in ur little corner. The simple rosemary grilled chic is a must try indeed! What i worry is ur rosemary may go 'botak' after u try this receipi...

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  2. Hahaha..Thanks Fauziyah! No worries, can get more rosemary from the nursery. Good excuse to go to Sg Buloh :)) Btw, instead of chicken, fish would be nice too. What do you think?

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    1. Hv not tried with fish though, but am sure it'll turn out delicious anyhow. My dinner last night was grilled rosemary chic. Too bad i hv to use dried rosemary as i dont hv fresh ones! huhuhu...

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    2. Time to consider getting a pot of rosemary for your garden. You'll never regret it! :) If you need a company to Sg Buloh, hehehe... yours truly awaits :))

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    3. Hehehe.. wait till i got azam baru! which i dont know when. But why not if its just to accompany u right?

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    4. Hahaha..you need azam baru for that?! I'm always looking for ways to brighten up my garden so everyday is azam baru for me. Let me know when you can go ok. That would be great!

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  3. Wow, very fruitful visit indeed. I can almost smell the aromatic scents of the herbs in your garden. I love your recipes. I too have tried the baked rosmary chicken - simple, nice and healthy. You got lavender too? The next time I go there, I'll look for lavender. I bought pea sprouts for stir fry. I like fresh mint leaves in asam laksa and curry laksa. I make Java tea with my misai kucing leaves.

    Ash, I will add your link to my post.

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  4. Thanks Ms Belle for sharing. I hope those who tried my recipe loves them. By the way, I'm not familiar with Java tea. Any particular brand that you're drinking? I would love to try some :)

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  5. I make Java tea from an infusion of fresh leaves plucked from my white (flowers) cat whiskers plant. By the way, my Thai basil is doing okay and has self-seeded. I went there again and bought mint, rosemary and lavender. Nice fragrance from basil and mint.

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  6. You had me rolling on the floor laughing Ms Belle! So that's Java tea, I see. Learn something new :) I plan to go back there to look for daun kesum and coriander.

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  7. Hum, tudo fica melhor com um bom tempero, né? Também adoro. Se quiser, veja esse post no meu blog. Beijos!
    http://escolhasaguiar.blogspot.com.br/2013/03/minha-mini-horta.html

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    1. Thank you Margaret.
      Do you have this herbs in your garden too?
      Most of it are our local herbs.
      Have a good day!

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  8. Hi Ash, does lemon balm also use in laksa. Or the words, its call laksa leaf as well?

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  9. Hi ASh, is lemon balm also call 'laksa leaf'?

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    1. Hello Vicky, laksa leaf is also known as "Daun Kesum". You can refer to my post on it here,
      http://hourisinthegarden.blogspot.com/2014/02/growing-daun-kesum.html
      Hope it helps :)

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Thanks for your lovely words...