Embark on a year-round culinary journey with this gorgeous garden-to-table cookbook packed with more than 100 yummy recipes, plus practical tips on cooking and growing herbs.
Herbs have a transformative power—they can lift a dish from ordinary to sublime. Written by a true herb aficionado, this beautiful book is an ode to enjoying herbs all year round. In each seasonal chapter, Judith Hann skillfully weaves together guidance growing—whether you have a full herb garden or simple pots on the windowsill—with 120 delicious, imaginative recipes.
Find dish inspiration for more common herbs and discover how to use those herbs that aren’t so readily available in the supermarket. Judith shares recipes that have been tried and tested at her herb cookery school—from simple herb sauces and salads to more ornate dishes, such as Guinea Fowl with Lovage and Lime, or Spare Ribs with Plum, Chilli and Sage Sauce. It also includes herb features, which provide a wealth of further quick recipes and ideas
• Pestos, made with a variety of herbs • Herb syrups and sugars • Herb ices • Preserving recipes with herb flavorings • Herb cheeses, and many more
Full of anecdotes, this is a wonderfully personal account of a love affair with herbs, as well as an indispensable guide on how to make the most of them every day.
I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Herbs guides the reader through growing and eating during each season, with recommendations on planting, harvesting, and storage. Each herb is discussed individually, including their histories, which was very interesting.
This book is excellent for those wishing to cook with herbs. Hann provides many delicious-sounding recipes using a variety of herbs which I wouldn't have thought to use. She describes the flavours well and has an enjoyable voice that made this book a pleasure to read.
The information given on growing the herbs was less useful. Hann is an extremely accomplished gardener and talks about cutting back plants and splitting their roots and such in a casual manner. Despite having spent many dull summer evenings watching my mother do things with her plants, I have no idea what's involved with cutting back plants and so if I decided to grow any of these herbs I would definitely need to seek out additional information elsewhere.
In all, I think this book would be excellent for gardeners who want to expand their herbal horizons and use them extensively in their cooking.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. My review is susceptible to changes in the final copy of this work.
When I opened this book I became wild from excitement. There are two elements that I love to see in cookbooks and this one had them both (along with other things I am really positive about). First, it divides herbs and recipes according to seasons, which I think is extremely useful when you try to cook with respect for the environment, and mostly there will be economic benefits too. Secondly, it contains some really useful basic information both for people who are going to set up their first vegetable garden (one day, one day!) or for those who have no garden at all but do enjoy some fresh herb plants on the window-sill. Oh, how I wish that Judith Hann was part of my family, because she seems so lovely, and it would be great to have a family member with a garden as beautiful as hers. Imagine the meals you must get when you would visit! All of the recipes seem relatively easy, with not too many ingredients, and because they center around herbs I am expecting them to be rich in flavor. The book has a beautiful clean design and gorgeous photos, a bit in the style of Linda Lomelino’s photos (but then herbs instead of cakes). I would definitely consider this as a gift for my mother, or other family members.
I received an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a nice book on herbs for the beginner or intermediate gardener or for a cook who wants to better understand how to incorporate fresh herbs. I like that the author explores the history of the various herbs and edible flowers, discusses the unique characteristics of each, and offers insight on her personal experience with each plant. Each herb has a history, cooking, and growing section, and recipes. Most of the herbs will be known to readers, but I wasn't familiar with cicely and hope to try it soon. She also includes seasonal advice, but I would encourage the reader to check with their growing zone and adjust as needed.
The recipes are simple and designed to showcase the delicious and subtle flavors of each herb. She includes recipes for a variety of dishes, as well as oils, vinegars, and sauces. The pictures included are beautiful, but there wasn't a picture with each recipe.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in growing their own herbs and learning how to use them in the kitchen.
This is pretty much a cook book that focuses on herbs so if you are looking for some great recipies to use with your herbs in, this will work for you. The other information presented is pretty basic so if you already have others that already have the basics this one won't present much new information. There are plenty of photos and information if you are looking for a book as a gift this one would be a great starter.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
This is a useful and well organized volume for the home cook desiring to add herbal interest to their cooking, especially those interested in growing their own herbs. Ms. Hahn presents herbs to us in a seasonal arrangement, including the best conditions for growing herbs and how to care for them as they mature. She describes the flavors each herb imparts, the typical cuisines that use it, tips for harvesting and preservation, and numerous culinary applications, as well as recipes. Measurements and temperatures are given in American, UK, and European equivalents. I think it's a terrific addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in growing or cooking with herbs. I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my opinion in response.
There is so much information in this book. I love that Judith breaks down the herbs into seasons and what to do with them such as planting and pruning. She also provides recipes for each herb and includes some gorgeous photos. I had never thought to use herbs in ice cream! There are so many things I can't wait to try in the next few months with the herbs from my garden. I really enjoyed this book and learned quite a few new things I can implement here at home.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
*This book was given to me by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review – all opinions are my own.* This book is a great bible to have around the house if you plan to grow your own herb gardens. This is our plan and I found this book so informative. It tells you the best things to do depending on the season, how best to take care of certain herbs, and additionally (going above and beyond) tells you what's best to do with them when cooking. It includes lovely recipes that I personally can't wait to try out.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a long-time herb grower, I was fascinated with this book, neatly broken down by season and by individual herb, detailing the history, growing, and cooking of each. Deliciously simple recipes add to the appeal of this book.
i am not much of a cook & have always been weary of trying new herbs because of my lack of understanding. But this is very informative! i love how the book is devided by seasons & i especially love the section about teas.
I love herb books! This one is filled with info and incidentals and photos. I know how difficult it can be to find some herbs in stores, so, I, too, grow my own in my garden! Lovely book!
A feast for the senses by an innovative herb gardener
I love everything about Herbs by Judith Hann. In her book, she leads the reader through the four seasons of the year, featuring her favorite herbs, telling a little bit about their history and cultivation, and providing mouthwatering recipes to the reader. Artful photographs accompany the recipes and are a feast for the eyes. Just looking at the photographs makes me dream of the scents and aromas of Judith's culinary creations. The herbs featured in the book are used in many unconventional ways. Who, for example, would have ever thought about putting sorrell into ice cream? The innovative use of flowers in many different ways is also amazing. Reading this book I feel as if Judith is taking me by the hands and leading me through her beautiful herb garden. I would love to meet her in person, see her garden, and get a taste of her marvelous herb dishes. I am also taken back in time to my parents' garden reading for example about the wonderful herb lovage. My mother used to grow it and she would put it in all of her hearty soups which always tasted wonderful. Right now I only have lemon balm and some rampant peppermint in my backyard. Judith Hann inspires me to add a variety of other herbs next year.
A free copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Written by an expert on herbs, Judith Hann is clearly passionate about her subject and this comes across in her clear, well organised and inspiring book. The four seasons create the structure to the book and is preceded by an interesting explanation of how herbs took over her life. As a herb grower myself I was pleased to see that a good range of herbs has been included and not just the basics. There are pictures for clarity followed by the history, how to cook with, and how to grow and store each of the herbs. There is a good selection of tempting recipes, in addition to herb teas, cheeses , ices, syrups, sauces, oils and vinegars. Reading this has left me with a wish to grow and cook with many of these herbs including lovage, a herb I have never grown, but apparently the author's favourite!