My mother being from Thailand made me familiar with a mortar and pestle since I was young. She would have me pound herbs and spices together to make a wonderfully infused culinary art piece. If done correctly, the herbs can have a multiplier effect on each other causing just a small amount of the seasoning blend to have an explosion of flavors.
Herbs can be expensive so growing them yourself will help your bottom line and is also fun. Below is a picture of sage, rosemary, chives, oregano, and thyme growing in my windowssill. Behind it is an outdoor planter I am growing herbs in, starting with seeds.
This post features a seasoning blend I call, Chicken on the Ranch. This classic blend calls for thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, pepper, olive oil, an onion, and garlic.
Below I have:
3/4 ounce of fresh sage
3/4 ounce of fresh rosemary
3/4 ounce of fresh thyme
1 onion
1 garlic
course sea salt
First, we want to peel and chop the onion and garlic finely. You only need about 1/4 of the onion and 1/4 of the garlic. Then, we want to finely chop the herbs removing any thick woody, stems.
Then, evenly divide the herbs, (thyme, rosemary, sage) in six different units. Below I put about 2 teaspoons of each herb in the containers. Add 1 teaspoon of garlic and 1 teaspoon of onion to each unit. (Notice I did not use all the garlic or onion).
Next, add 1 teaspoon of salt to each unit. You can add more or less depending on your preferences.
Now, pound each portion one by one. It is important not to pound too much at one time, for evenness and consistency.
After about 60 seconds of hard pounding, it should look like this.
Your kitchen will fill up with the aroma of deliciousness. After, the pounding, place a thin layer evenly on aluminum foil and put it in the oven on warm for a few hours.
Yeah baby!
The leaves should be pretty dry by now.
Next, put it in a jar or container.
Transform a boring, chicken and rice dinner...
into a gourmet delicacy! Add a sprinkle of the seasoning blend along with olive oil and ground pepper for a night to remember.
Chicken on the Ranch, Seasoning Blend
- 3/4 ounce of fresh thyme
- 3/4 ounce of fresh rosemary
- 3/4 ounce of fresh sage
- 6 teaspoons of coarse salt
- 6 teaspoons of finely chopped garlic
- 6 teaspoons of finely chopped onions
*Follow proper food handling and safety precautions.