Gifts From the Herb Garden

Gifts from your herb garden harvest are simple and easy.

Add your own artistic impulses, and have fun as you create and share homemade gifts from the bounty from your garden.

ROSEMARY

Gather a bunch of rosemary with a pretty bow and it is ready to be tucked into a basket of fresh Mediterranean herbs.

Purchase a raffia wreath and florist’s wire from the craft store, make a wreath of rosemary clippings, and finish with a big red bow.

Tie on a pretty label that might say: “Enjoy fresh rosemary in soups, stews, or your favorite lamb dish. As the rosemary dries, continue the enjoyment but use a little less. Rinse the sprigs with cool water just before use, if you wish.”

Red chili peppers are lovely in wreaths, either on their own, or combined with green herbs.

INFUSED VINEGAR

Lavender vinegar is delicious lightly drizzled on a salad, or anyplace where basil is used.

A few drops included in the final rinse of your hair or in a warm bath, along with bath oil, is delightfully delicious.

To make lavender vinegar, you will need champagne vinegar, culinary lavender leaves, lavender blossoms, and a very pretty bottle.

Combine ingredients, and steep for one month (don‘t use heat). Strain through cheesecloth, and discard flowers and leaves. Place fresh leaves and flowers in clean bottle and fill with strained vinegar mixture.

Make sage-cranberry vinegar using the same method. Place fresh cranberries on a sage stem skewer and add a few fresh sage leaves in your finished vinegar. This is delicious sprinkled on a slice of roasted pork or included in a sauce.

SEASONING MIXES

Bouquet Garni are lovely little gifts to include in a basket of homemade food gifts for a friend who is intimidated by things French.

To make these little herb bags, cut several 4-inch squares of cheesecloth.

Combine:

• ½ tsp thyme
• ¼ tsp each basil and marjoram
• 1 bay leaf, crumbled
• 5 peppercorns

Tie squares into bags with string. Store in an air tight container. This little mixture gives delicious extra flavor to soups and stews.

These are a few ideas to get you started thinking about sharing gifts from your herb garden.