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Winter’s Hidden Treasure: Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

Thyme, one of the most versatile herbs known throughout the world, has over 350 species in its genus. On a daily basis, this herb is used more frequently than any other herbs used for culinary purposes. Originating in North Africa and Asia thyme, has been used to treat ailments such as depression, rashes, nightmares, and the age old ailment known as the hangover. The ancient Egyptians used it for embalming and many of the Greeks and Romans believed that thyme was a great source of courage and renewal. As we move throughout “time” thyme has become better known for its culinary versatility than its medicinal and folkloric purposes. Thyme certainly has its place in all four seasons but we discover a hidden treasure in thyme as we learn to incorporate it into our winter cooking because it makes heartier meals more intense. With its lengthy history as a basic ingredient in French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Middle Eastern, North African and Caribbean cuisines and its new vogue as a flavor in desserts and drinks, we can capture its essence superbly in winter’s culinary delights.

We typically know thyme as a staple in flavoring meats, soups and stews. However, we can uncover more with thyme because of its versatility, its subtle flavors, and its beautiful ability to flavor food without overpowering the food itself. Thyme also blends well with many other tastes and flavors. Incorporate thyme with its sweet, minty, earthy bay flavor and robust scent into your winter cuisines by using it with vegetables, drinks and desserts in addition to the normal meats, stews, and soups that it works wonders in. Thyme’s versatility goes beyond just mixing with flavors.

Its versatility is also seen in its unique ability to be used throughout all cooking times from beginning to end. While some of the other herbs lend their flavors best when they are raw or when they are used at the end of cooking, thyme has the incredible ability to add flavor and subtlety with every part of the plant from stem to leaf to oil to its scent. A few examples of the unique treasures of thyme are seen in such simple recipes as orange thyme shortbread, pear tart with cranberry thyme syrup, baked butternut squash with thyme butter cream, and baked halibut with lemon thyme asiago pesto. For some refreshing hidden treasures do not forget about the drinks! Try a blood orange thyme margarita or a cranberry thyme champagne cocktail.

The possibilities are endless in the discovery of winter’s hidden treasure-THYME!
All you need is willing!

Here are the recipes ideas mentioned above:

Orange Thyme Shortbread-Add juice of 1 orange and ¼ c chopped thyme leaves toy our basic shortbread recipe.

Pear Tart with Cranberry Thyme Syrup and Vanilla Ice cream-Serve a spectacular pear tart with vanilla ice cream and Cranberry Thyme Syrup 9Recipe in hot herb trends section)

Baked Butternut Squash with Thyme Butter Cream-Mix ¼ c chopped thyme leaves 2 T butter and ¼ c cream together drizzle over baked squash and cook under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes

Baked Halibut with Thyme Asiago Pesto-Winter halibut is perfect drizzled with this pesto (see recipe section from Ger-Nis website)

Blood Orange Thyme Margaritas-See recipe on Dazzle them with drinks section.

Cranberry Thyme Champagne Cocktail- recipe on Dazzle them with drinks section.