Herbs de Provence

Herbs de Provence is a mixture from Provence, a region of France, containing rosemary, marjoram, basil, bay leaf, savory, thyme, and sometimes lavender flowers and other herbs.

Pairing herbs and using them effectively can be daunting. Many people don't consider herbs until it's time to cook, and are stuck with preparing a meal with what's on hand.http://www.i-hate-cooking-recipes.com/cooking-spices.html While most supermarkets and grocery stores carry herbs de provence, it is also easy to make at home ahead of time.

People have been using herbs and spices to preserve, season and tenderize their food for some 7000 years. Spices used to be considered a luxury and reserved for royalty and nobility. They even had monetary value and were used for barter.http://spices.indianetzone.com/1/history_spices.htm

Herbs and spices are substantially less expensive and easier to obtain today. They are still primarily known for their ability to flavor a bland dish. However they also carry numerous health and nutritional benefits.http://www.herbs.org/herbnews/

Grilled meat, poultry and fish lend themselves best to this seasoning. However it's also a fine addition to rice, roasted and scalloped vegetables, salad dressings, paté, soft cheese, crackers and bread, soups, and even cookies.http://thelunacafe.com/christmas-in-provence-cookies/

Herbs de Provence can be used as a marinade to tenderize and season your dish, or during preparation as a rub or ingredient. It can also be used as a table seasoning and applied before serving.http://www.gianteagle.com/Recipes/RecipeDetails.aspx?recipeId=378