Culinary Uses For Thyme Leaves

In times past, ancient Greeks believed that the herb thyme gave them courage.  Today, thyme leaves are used for cooking and are commonly found in a variety of savory dishes that are easy to prepare.For a simple side dish, a variety of different mushrooms can be sliced and sauteed with garlic and thyme herbs.  When making roasted meats, at the end of cooking the roast, you can remove it and then use a little wine to deglaze, or unloosen the little bits that stick to the bottom of the pan, and then take those juices, add the herb thyme to it, and cook it down to a reduction that is highly concentrated in flavor.  Poultry may also be roasted with a few tablespoons of lemon juice, some minced garlic and a sprinkling of thyme leaves to impart wonderful flavor.  Garlic bread can be prepared with shredded melting cheese, such as mozzarella, on top, mixed with some dried thyme.  This type of cheese toast is wonderful with a variety of hearty soups for a simple yet satisfying dinner.  The familiar comfort food macaroni and cheese can be improved with the addition of dried thyme, diced tomatoes and sauteed mushroom.Vegetables often benefit from the judicious use of thyme spice.  You can improve the flavor of winter tomatoes drastically by slicing them in half, placing them cut side up on a baking sheet, using a pastry brush to spread olive oil on them, and then sprinkle on some of the herb thyme.  Roast them in the oven for a few minutes so that some of the moisture inherent in the vegetable cooks out.  This process produces an easy side dish that has a greatly intensified tomato flavor, and works especially well with a paste tomato such as a Roma or San Marzano, because they have less moisture content than other tomato varieties.  You can make a delicious white sauce that is flavored in part with thyme herbs.  Melt butter in a heavy nonstick pan such as cast iron, and then add an equal amount of flour and continuously whisk it to cook.  Add seafood stock to the mixture, which as it cooks will become thickened.  Half and half can then be added, along with tiny shrimp, clams,  smoked salmon, garlic, black pepper and thyme leaves.  A little cooking sherry or white wine is another great-tasting addition.  This sauce featuring thyme herbs is amazing used as a pizza topping or over fresh hot pasta, with white cheese sprinkled over both before serving.The herb thyme can be added to the scrumptious minced olive concoction called tapanade.  Pitted Greek kalamata olives are placed into a food processor, along with anchovies, garlic, black pepper, dried thyme and chopped, then a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil are added as the mixture is pulsed a couple of times.  This makes a beautiful spread to use inside a goat cheese and sundried tomato-filled grilled sandwich on sourdough.You can find dried thyme leaves available online from dried herb and spice merchants.

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