Praise for herbs in kitchen

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33158, 23 February 1973, Page 5

Praise for herbs in kitchen

The use of herbs in everyday cooking is growing in North Canterbury, according to Mrs E. K. Wright, a member of the Canterbury Herb Society and one of the three or four herbalists in Rangiora.

Herbs are meant to complement and bring out the flavour of the dish in which they are being used, not to dominate it, says Mrs Wright in a circular on herbs and their usage. Mrs Wright’s interest in herbs began when she moved into her present home in East Belt, Rangiora. Part of the house consists of the first house in East Belt and possibly the first house in Rangiora. The single room at the back of the present home was built in 1870 and the garden has been established since then.

Several herb plants were growing in the garden and since they moved in five years ago Mrs Wright has added several more. The plants require no special treatment and are very easy to grow, said Mrs Wright. Hanging important

Many persons use herbs in their cooking almost daily without realising it, said Mrs Wright. Mint and parsley were two of the more popular herbs.

Mrs Wright hangs her herbs for about six weeks to dry and by drying them naturally retains a lot of the colour and flavour that is lost by kiln drying used in commercial production. Mrs Wright will be displaying about 20 of her herbs in I the window of Rangiora ! Mower Service today in conjunction with the first day of ]the Rangiora Floral and Arts I Festival in Victoria Park.