From Left: parsley, basil, cilantro
One of the easiest and most fun ways to dress up your party platters is with edible garnishes. Flowers like nasturtium, marigold and chamomile make good garnishes. Herbs are great, too. You can buy the garnishes at your local farmer’s market or grocery store, but many of them are so easy to grow, and expensive to buy, that it makes sense to grow your own. It isn’t too late in the growing season to start growing your own garnishes. aHa! Modern Living has seeds for many of these, and we’re having a seed sale! Save 15% OFF all Botanical Interests Seeds – many organic and heirloom varieties.
Here are some of our favorite edible garnishes, and their suggested food pairings:
- Basil Good with Italian, cold soups, bread & cheese board. Botanical Interests Basil Dolce Vita Blend Organic $1.69
- Cilantro Anything Mexican, light summer salads with lime dressing. Botanical Interests Cilantro Slow Bolting Organic $1.61
- Dill Great garnish for crudités (vegetable platter), hummus & pitas, bread & cheese board. Botanical Interests Dill Bouquet Organic $1.52
- Chives These go well with savory dishes, including chicken and pork, potato pancakes, cream-cheese and creamy dips. Botanical Interests Chives Common Organic $1.69
- Thyme A good garnish for chicken kabobs, miniature cheese toasts, baked brie. Botanical Interests Thyme Common English Organic $2.03
- Beets & Carrots Use both of these in their “baby” form to add color to white serving platters. Botanical Interests Beet Gourmet Blend Organic $2.54 and Botanical Interests Carrots
- Nasturtiums The flowers add color to any serving platter, and they’re edible, too (as long as you don’t use pesticides in the garden). They have a peppery taste. Botanical Interests Nasturtiums
Photo Credits from left: Earth Spirit Organics, LeeAnn Smith, Smithsonian Blog
Tags: botanical interests seeds, edible garnishes, heirlooms, herb gardening, organic seeds
[...] true that nothing spruces up a homemade meal and adds delicious flavor quite like your own home-grown garnishes. Herbs such as basil, cilantro, and thyme can add wonderful color and fragrance to your dishes- not [...]