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| Our
Nutritional Information |
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| Healthy Choices and Nutrition |
| We use only the freshest ingredients |
You may have heard me mention our chef as the Spice Master. In my article this month I want to share with you some of the Herbs we use at Rovali's! Please don't ask me for recipes (at least not our top secret ones...) they have been hermetically sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk and Wagnalls' porch.
Italian Herbs for Cooking
Italian herbs for cooking are the most important ingredient for giving your food that wonderful flavor our Italian food is known for....it includes a wide variety of herbs for cooking which not only add intense flavor but are healthy too.
What is the difference between an herb and a spice?
Herbs are the leaves and some stems of plants which contain aromatic oils giving them a distinctive flavor. Spices generally come from the seeds, root, fruit or bark of plants where their aromatic oils are concentrated and are generally used dried. Spices usually have quite an intense flavor and aroma, therefore they are only needed in small quantities.
Common Italian Herbs
Here is a list of the more common varieties of herbs and how they are used: Basil is actually part of the mint family with twelve varieties used in cooking. It works great in pesto, tomato sauces and soups. Sweet basil is the best known and has a distinct fragrance. It has a sweet and slight licorice taste which makes it great for pesto. Basil is the main ingredient in traditional pesto.
Oregano, also known as wild marjoram, is used widely in Italian cooking. Oregano offers a complementary flavor to basil, and is widely used in tomato-based dishes, with meat or fish, and in salads. It also tastes wonderful with beans or eggplant, and in risotto.
Parsley - Flat-leaf Italian parsley is much more flavorful than the curly variety used for garnishes. Italian parsley is used in soup stock and with vegetable dishes. It can also be added to marinades for grilled meat or fish.
Rosemary resembles a little evergreen tree and is extremely fragrant. A little goes a long way as it can easily overpower your food. This herb makes a wonderful addition to roasted meats and vegetables, and is extremely tasty with roasted potatoes or added to focaccia.
Sage is another very fragrant herb that is delicious with meat dishes. Sage can also be added to salads and dressings. It makes a perfect addition to stuffing for poultry, pork, veal, and lamb.
Thyme is also a member of the mint family and has a pleasant mild flavor that goes well with just about everything. Are you sensing a theme here? lol
So remember, when you eat at Rovali's you eat fresh!!
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