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California Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Dill, Lavendar, Mint, All About Herbs

All About Herbs

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Keany Produce welcomes you to our comprehensive guide on herbs. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the kitchen, herbs are an essential ingredient that can elevate any dish. In this guide, we delve into the fascinating world all about herbs, exploring their culinary uses and health benefits.

Herbs 101: The Essentials

Herbs are pivotal elements in cooking that enhance the flavor profile of a range of dishes. Derived from the leaves, stems, or flowers of plants, herbs are renowned for their savory and aromatic properties.

There is a broad spectrum of herbs, each with its distinctive flavor and culinary uses. Some commonly used herbs include basil, cilantro, dill, lavender, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Among these, lavender is known for its soothing aroma, while rosemary and oregano are praised for their robust flavors. Cilantro and chives, on the other hand, lend a fresh and vibrant taste to dishes.

Integrating herbs into your cooking offers a myriad of benefits. They add depth to dishes, enhancing the overall taste. The aromatic oils present in herbs infuse the food with enticing flavors, delivering a remarkable gastronomic experience.

Alongside boosting the flavor, herbs also pack various health benefits. Many herbs are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote overall health. For instance, parsley is loaded with vitamin C, while rosemary boasts antioxidants that aid in combating inflammation.

Furthermore, herbs can act as a healthier substitute for salt or artificial flavorings. By integrating herbs into your cooking, you can cut down your sodium intake while still relishing deliciously seasoned meals.

At Keany Produce, we understand the importance of fresh and superior herbs in cooking. We are dedicated to sourcing the highest quality herbs straight from farmers and local growers, ensuring their quality and flavor. Browse through our selection of herbs and elevate your culinary experience!

California Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Dill, Lavendar, Mint, All About Herbs

Mastering the Art of Cooking with Herbs

Herbs are indispensable when it comes to flavoring your dishes. They not only intensify the taste but also add a fresh and aromatic essence to any recipe. This is why it is essential to know all about herbs. Here are some best practices, popular herb and food pairings, and tips to amplify flavors with herbs.

Key guidelines for cooking with herbs:

  • Always choose fresh herbs for a more robust flavor.
  • Add fresh herbs towards the end of cooking to preserve their vibrant taste and aroma.
  • Chop the herbs finely to release their essential oils and maximize their flavor.
  • Experiment with different herb combinations, like cilantro and chives or lavender and rosemary, to discover your preferred flavor profile.

Classic herb and food pairings:

  • Thai Basil: pairs well with ingredients like coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers; often used in Thai cuisine.
  • Rosemary: Pairs well with roasted meats, potatoes, and root vegetables.
  • Oregano: Enhances the flavors of pizza, pasta, and Mediterranean dishes.
  • Thyme: Its earthy flavor pairs well with the mild taste of chicken, commonly used in roasts, stews, and marinades.
  • Mint: In mint herb recipes it’s refreshing flavor cuts through the richness of lamb dishes and pairs well with peas in salads, soups, and side dishes.
  • Chives: Works well as a garnish for soups, salads, and baked potatoes, and also in egg dishes.
  • Dill: Often paired with fish, particularly salmon, and used in pickling cucumbers in dill herb recipes.

Tips to enhance flavors with herbs:

  • Infuse oils or vinegars with herbs like rosemary or oregano for flavorful dressings or marinades.
  • Create herb butter by mixing softened butter with your favorite herbs.
  • Produce herb-infused salts or sugars to elevate your dishes.
  • Use herb stems to flavor stocks and broths.

At Keany Produce, we understand the importance of fresh and superior herbs in your culinary endeavors. We offer a wide range of herbs and can source if you’re seeking something specific.

The Healthful Aspects of Herbs

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Knowing all about herbs not only elevates your cooking skills, but also supports your health.

Herbs have been leveraged for centuries not only for their flavor-enhancing abilities but also for their numerous health benefits. Many herbs possess medicinal properties and are known to provide specific health benefits. Incorporating herbs like lavender, rosemary, oregano, cilantro, and chives into a healthy lifestyle can be an easy and effective way to promote overall well-being.

Herbs with medicinal properties:

Certain herbs have been traditionally used for their medicinal attributes. For example, lavender is known for its calming and anti-anxiety properties. Rosemary, on the other hand, is recognized for its antioxidant properties and potential to enhance memory and concentration.

Health benefits of well-known herbs:

Several popular herbs offer specific health benefits. Oregano is often used for its antibacterial properties. Cilantro is rich in antioxidants and may assist in detoxification. Additionally, chives have been linked to heart health and improved digestion.

Ways to incorporate herbs into a healthy lifestyle:

There are several ways to include herbs in your daily routine. Fresh herbs like cilantro, chives, lavender, rosemary, and oregano can be added to salads, soups, and stir-fries to enhance both the flavor and nutritional value of your meals. You can also steep herbs in hot water to make soothing herbal teas or use them to create homemade herb-infused oils and vinegars.

Check out our selection of fresh herbs and elevate your health and culinary game!

Ramps, Asparagus, Artichokes, Vidalia Bulbs, Kale, Spring Produce, Fruits and Vegetables in Spring Season, Spring Vegetables

Spring Lookahead

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Anyone else ready to put away those bulky sweaters, open the windows, or sip cocktails on a patio? We sure are! Spring is here and the season is a favorite among us produce-lovers. Here’s what you can expect this spring from your favorite produce supplier:

Rhubarb

  • Washington, some local
  • 10 lbs
  • Available late February

Ramps

  • Available late March
  • 1 LB

Artichokes

  • California
  • 24 CT, 18 CT, baby
  • Available now

Local Asparagus

  • Maryland, Delaware
  • Standard, large, jumbo, white
  • Available early May

Fiddlehead Ferns

  • Available with notice
  • 5 lbs

Vidalia bulbs

  • Vidalia, Georgia
  • Available mid-March
  • Case

Squash Blossoms

  • California
  • Available now
  • 25 ct

Fava Beans

  • Mexico
  • Available early March
  • Bushel

Apricots

  • Chile
  • Double-layer
  • Available early May

Greens (Kale, Collard, Mustard)

  • Available now
  • Georgia, Maryland
  • Assorted pack sizes
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Specialty Produce

Spring heralds the arrival of an exquisite array of specialty produce, each offering a unique burst of flavor and freshness. Ramps, with their pungent aroma and delicate onion-garlic flavor, captivate chefs and food enthusiasts alike. Vidalia bulbs from Vidalia, Georgia, renowned for their mild sweetness and crisp texture, add a delightful crunch to salads and stir-fries, infusing dishes with a subtle yet distinctive taste. Fava beans from Mexico, with their tender, buttery texture and nutty flavor, are a cherished springtime delicacy, perfect for incorporating into hearty soups or vibrant salads.

Meanwhile, the tart tanginess of rhubarb brings a refreshing contrast to desserts and savory dishes alike, its vibrant color and unique flavor profile capturing the essence of the season. And who could forget the delicate curls of fiddlehead ferns, a fleeting delicacy prized for their earthy flavor and crisp texture? Last but certainly not least, the delicate and ephemeral squash blossoms from California, with their vibrant hues and delicate petals, offer a fleeting taste of the season’s bounty. These specialty spring treasures invite us to embrace the vibrant flavors and colors of the season, inspiring culinary creativity, and celebration.

Local

Late-April to early-May is the kickoff to new crops of local items. We work with over 40 local purveyors to capture the abundance the mid-Atlantic region has to offer, ensuring efficient and effective food distribution for fresh produce. With our dedication to delivering on every detail, we invite you to explore the vibrant flavors of spring with us as your trusted restaurant supplier.

April

Asparagus will start poking out of the dirt fields in Maryland and Virginia in early April. We partner with Godfrey’s Farm and Parker Farms throughout the season. It will be a volume-fill case meaning the sizes will vary from standard to jumbo. Lisa and Tom Godfrey’s Farm are local farmers in Sudlersville, Maryland. They have been growing fresh asparagus for over 50 years, easily making it their most prolific crop, which covers 60 acres of their farm. To deter pests and limit pesticide use, Godfrey’s Farm uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Godfrey’s is committed to providing fresh, local produce to the surrounding communities while maintaining strict food safety GAP certifications.

North Carolina kicks off the strawberry around late April, depending on weather. These sweet berries come from Lewis Nursery and Farm. Everette and Cal Lewis specialize in berry production as third-generation Lewis Nursey and Farm owners. Their progressive and innovative thinking has brought new production methods like tunnels and solar energy, enhancing both environmental sustainability and product quality. Lewis can bring growing temperatures up to 75°F in April, allowing their “tunnel” grown strawberries a head start over other local berries, ensuring superior quality and environmental sustainability.

May

April showers brings May…broccoli, cabbage, squash, berries, and greens. That’s how the saying goes, right? Our Virginian farm partners at Newmarket Farms, Parker Farms, and Lois Produce & Herbs are flourishing with new crops. Plus, Richardson Farms in Maryland will begin their new crop of kale, collard, and mustard greens.

Newmarket Farm is a 450-acre family-owned and operated farm located in Caroline County, Virginia. To help ensure their crops flourish, Newmarket Farms is home to a dozen beehives that happily pollinate the plants when they’re in bloom, contributing to environmental preservation efforts on the farm.

The Parkers have been farming for more than 100 years in the tri-state area. Run by Rod Parker, their facility inspects, packs, and ships produce for growers from Delaware to the Carolinas covering 3,000 acres of land and their own produce. Their sustainability methods include reducing both air pollution as well as surface water and groundwater usage. They use state-of-the-art hydro-coolers, forced air coolers, and other refrigeration to eliminate field heat rapidly.

Lois Produce & Herbs is a family-owned farm located in Leedstown, Virginia. This eco-friendly farm conserves water using plastic drip tape to deliver water straight to the roots in the fields. In addition to their water conservation efforts, they even have a resident pig that consumes leftovers! There is a lot of time and effort that goes into producing their high-quality product, which is why their fresh food is almost always picked the day before the market.

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Ramps, Fruits and Vegetables in Spring Season, Spring Produce, Spring Vegetables
Ramps, Asparagus, Artichokes, Vidalia Bulbs, Kale, Spring Produce, Fruits and Vegetables in Spring Season, Spring Vegetables