So you've hit the economic downturn and it's time to cut back. Food is one of the easiest places to scale down and you have. It's time for spartan, tasteless fare. Right?
Uhn-uh. Not on my watch!
Simple and inexpensive does not have to equal boring and bland. One of the most economically reasonable ways to bring a gourmet touch to your table is by using fresh, flavorful herbs. My personal favorite "cheap thrill" is the herb Rosemary, which I'm lucky enough to have available year-round. You can, too, even if you live in the North. I'll tell you how.
Rosemary, while officially classified as an evergreen, does not tolerate cold weather well. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
This second-year Rosemary has been thoroughly plucked for cuttings and fresh use.
Growing Rosemary in the North
Here's what I do. Get your hands on a baby Rosemary plant. More on that in a minute. Then plant it in a pot, preferably at least 6" diameter. Don't worry about getting anything fancy if you don't already have a pot. Pick one up used at a garage sale, or you may even be able to find something brand new at a good price on clearance (I found some for less than $1 last summer).
Set your potted Rosemary outdoors in a sunny location during the summer. If you live in an apartment, a balcony or even a sun-friendly open window will do just fine. In the fall when evening temps begin to dip below freezing at night, just pick up the pot and bring it indoors to sit in front of a sunny window. Aside from that, it's a pretty forgiving plant. Doesn't even require a whole lot of water -- I usually give my indoor pots a drink about once a week.
So where are you gonna find this little guy to start with? I got my very first Rosemary plant from the garden center. If you go this route, just get one. From there, you can take cuttings and root more Rosemarys for yourself if you like, or do like I did this year and give 'em to family or friends at the holidays. If you happen to know someone with an existing plant, ask if they'll float you a cutting. While Rosemary has a reputation for not being the easiest plant to start from seed, I've also got three nice-sized first year plants started just that way.
Cooking with fresh Rosemary
There are all kinds of ways to use fresh Rosemary, from spaghetti sauce to stews to pork roast. Here are two of my personal low-budget favorites:
- Rice and eggs ... and Rosemary. Pre-cook some rice. I usually figure about 3 servings from one cup of raw white rice. In my case, cooking for one, I usually prepare several meals' worth while I'm at it, then refrigerate the leftovers. Warm a little olive oil in a frying pan, then add the rice and heat through, stirring occasionally. When the rice is good and hot, add in some minced fresh Rosemary leaves and 1-2 beaten eggs per serving. Mix thoroughly, then remove from heat and let sit until eggs cook through. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and if you like, a topping of grated cheddar or parmesan cheese.
- I also happen to really like Rosemary in a stir-fried potato dish. Warm some olive oil in a frying pan. Just a little is fine. Add some cubed potatoes. If you like, you can add in some chopped onions or peppers, or anything else that suits your fancy. Cover and cook over medium heat until done, 15 minutes or so. Then comes the star of this dish, the finely chopped Rosemary. Stir it in and let the whole thing "get happy" for a minute or two. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Great as a side dish with, say, scrambled eggs.
The big pay-ola!
Sometimes when life hands out a big change (like, say, decreasing your income when you'd hoped it would go up), it's tempting to let yourself feel a little down. "Bummer," you might think. "I sure hope this situation turns itself around fast!"
Well, last winter I was having one of those moments. Plus it was the middle of winter and not the greatest time for my favorite stress-relieving hobby, gardening. "I know," I thought. "At least I can root some Rosemary." So I did. And since I'd already picked them off, the little leaves from the bottom of the stem went into my rice & eggs dinner that night.
Wow! I've gotta tell you that a fresh sense of abundance came right over me as I tasted that fresh herb. Honestly, at that moment I felt like a queen.
If you're at all a student of the Law of Attraction, you know that having the feeling of the state you want is the first step toward living there full-time. Do you see where I'm going with this? It's more than about the food!
Let me know how it works for you, ok?
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
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