Throughout human history, the aromatic herb thyme has been used for various culinary and health purposes. The Egyptians used it for embalming and the Greeks burned it in temples. Thyme is now used in egg and pasta dishes, among others, as a spice. Health-wise, it is a good source of calcium and fiber as well as several vitamin elements like iron and vitamin K.
Instructions
1. Select fresh or dried thyme. Fresh thyme has a stronger flavor but the dried kind is easier to get. Look in your local supermarket or health store to see what is available.
2. Store thyme in a sealed container away from heat and light. If storing fresh thyme, some recommend keeping it folded in a paper towel in the refrigerator until use.
3. Strip leaves from the sprigs of fresh thyme to be used in dishes. Some soups and other culinary creations can include a whole sprig of thyme, but usually, you'll want just the leaves, and for many recipes they should be minced if fresh to keep the distribution of flavor more even.
4. Measure out the amount of thyme you will use. For dried or minced thyme, you can use a teaspoon.
5. Add thyme to your dish toward the end of the cooking process. Thyme loses its flavor relatively quickly when cooked.
Tags: fresh thyme
