Parsley - The Herb for Garnishing, Flavoring and Medicine

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This petite leafy thing is often discarded by diners as "just a garnish," yet parsley has persistently pushed its way as among the most useful and healthy culinary herbs.

My sister is a garnish eater, but not me! She's so fond of stealing parsley from our plates (during dine-outs) and pop it in her mouth. 

Parsley is a staple in her kitchen and every time she makes special dinner, it's so amusing of her opening the door for us with hands and arms of fresh parsley while leading us to the kitchen. We loved the smell in the kitchen... perfect... soothing and relaxing. Perhaps it's what parsley is about.

What is Parsley?

Parsley is one of the most well-liked herbs grown in herb gardens everywhere purposely for flavoring, as a garnish, or for medicinal use. It has saw-like curly or flat leaves that grow to around 12 inches tall and cultivated in well-drained, moisture-retaining soil. It can be grown outdoors and indoors.

For indoor growing, use a deep pot and fresh potting soil to accommodate the long taproot. If infestations arise, spray with soap and water at once. 

Since germination of parsley requires warm temperatures, it is best to place your pots on the windowsill so it is sure to get the necessary 5 hours of sunlight requirement. 

During cold weather, use fluorescent lights hanged 6 inches from the plants and leave the lights on for 14 hours a day. For growing outdoors, planting is as simple as seeds straight into the spot where you want to grow it and allow the plant to sow itself.

Health Benefits of Parsley

Parsley is known for potent disease-fighting culinary spice rich in calcium, chlorophyll, folate, iron, vitamins, and beta-carotene. 

These are the benefits that herbalists and health-conscious people believe to help with digestion and in lowering high blood pressure. Parsley is also used to enhance and stimulate energy on the body's vital organs and aid in the assimilation of nutrients.

Parsley makes a good herbal drink. A cup of finely chopped fresh parsley is richer in beta-carotene than a carrot, it's twice the vitamin C of an orange, contains more calcium than a cup of milk, and 20 times iron content as a serving of liver.

Try the Organic Parsley Leaf Tea. 

All you have to do is put the teabag in a cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 3-6 minutes. Caffeine-free and GMO-free, it's like you're savoring the taste of Buddha Teas.

Parsley as Garnish

Because of its peppery flavor, fresh aroma, and lively green color, parsley is perfect for garnishing dishes that need some freshening up. 

Parsley is excellent in salads, sauces, soups, stews, stuffings, omelets, and vegetable dishes. It is perfect to embellish meat, fish, poultry dishes. 

Chop it so fine and mix with cheese dips, crush it into butter and spread in your bread and biscuits, melt it into casseroles, scrambled eggs, rice, or pasta. Although dried parsley is common to keep this herb on hand, it is best to use it fresh.

Try Garlic and Parsley as a seasoning to just about any dish.

An example of certain recipes with fresh herbs like parsley as the main components is pesto, tabbouleh, or classic salad that layers mozzarella, tomatoes, and muzzled parsley leaves. A salad dressing drenched with dried parsley is another good example. From garnishing to flavoring, parsley truly does make for deliciousness all the time.

I bet you'll love a more robustly-flavored Dried Parsley. Soak the leaves in cold water for about 10 minutes and use as you would fresh parsley in butter, cheese, and pasta dishes.


Parsley the Natural Breath Freshener

Did you know that parsley can be a natural breath freshener? Chew parsley after eating oniony and garlicky food and you'll get a fresh clean grass-like taste and scent that help get rid of aftertaste and smell in your mouth. Parsley is truly every cook's best leafy friend!