A-Z Challenge -- "R"

Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by  to visit!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                        
    For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. - About how they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.

With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning  for each day of the  A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.

Learn more about these terms

                  "R" is for Rosemary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Other "R" contenders were Red Pepper Flakes, Ramsons ( wild garlic), Rue(a hardy plant from Southern Europe-used for medicinal purposes). The latter two I never heard of before. But the herb that is quickly becoming one of my "fab five favorites" is

ROSEMARY

(bbcgoodfood.com)

Rosemary is one of those wonderful herbs that makes a beautiful ornamental plant as well as a welcome culinary seasoning. Its Latin name, Rosmarinus officinalis, means "dew of the sea" and rosemary is most closely associated with the cooking of the Mediterranean area. However you don't need perfect sunshine, sea mist or even a never ending summer to successfully grow rosemary. In fact, more rosemary plants suffer from too much attention than from too little.

                                                                         

The leaves and flowers of rosemary can be used in many different dishes; here are just a few ideas to whet your appetite. However, remember that rosemary has quite a strong flavour so you don't need to add very much even in dishes that are slow cooked.

The flowers can be used in desserts eg.sprinkled over ice cream or mousses.

Rosemary blends especially well with oranges but also other fruits. An orange fool flavoured with rosemary is lovely.

Use sprigs for roasting, grilling or on the barbeque.

Another combination for lamb is to mix rosemary leaves with orange to create a glaze but some people may find this a bit too sweet.

The fresh shoots can be used to flavour olive oil or milk/cream or syrup to be used in puddings. Also delicious added to lemonade and other summer drinks.

Onions roasted with rosemary and made into a sauce is also tasty.

You can make rosemary flavoured oil or vinegars.

Medicinal Uses:

Rosemary  is used in many different ways, both internally and externally on the body. It is the pine-like green leaves of the plant that are used.

Scientific research has been done and suggests that Rosemary’s seemingly infinite healing applications may be used for such diseases as Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Circulatory Problems, Eczema, Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Menstrual Cramps, and Yeast Infection.

(www.ecurry.com)

The herb can be very effective in bringing a feeling of well-being and increase in energy.

It is known as an antidepressant and a soothing tonic for the nerves, which makes it excellent for people who deal with anxiety, depression, and related conditions (such as migraines which are associated with nervousness and tension)

 Some people take Rosemary essential oil with them when they travel, and use it frequently on the bottoms of their  feet and other points of the body to support the immune system, and to put the body and emotions in a state of ease.

Sources:
http://madeleineg.hubpages.com

Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.    *The medicinal usages are for informational and educational purposes only*