Parsley is the unsung hero of many dishes, so it’s time to celebrate it!
It’s also one of the herbs that’s in season right through the winter and spring, so it’s always possible to pick it when it’s fresh and delicious.
Did you know…?
- Parsley, Petroselinum crispum, is a hardy biennial in the carrot family that originated in the Mediterranean.
- It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and is said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- One tablespoon provides over 70% of the recommended daily intake for Vitamin K.
- There are two varieties, flat-leaf (which has a stronger flavour) and curly (primarily used as garnish).
- Ancient Greeks considered it sacred and used it in funeral wreaths, and the Romans used it as a garnish.
- It has been used for centuries to treat digestive issues.
- It’s a key ingredient in dishes like tabbouleh, pesto, and gremolata.
- It also acts as a fresh breath freshener.
- The word “parsley” is a merger of Old English petersilie (identical to the contemporary German word for parsley) and the Old French word, peresil.
What can you make with it?
Parsley sauce – A sauce for classic British comfort food like fish and boiled ham. This mild and creamy sauce is extra tasty when made with fresh parsley.
Tabbouleh – Combine flat-leaf parsley with bulgur wheat, mint, ripe tomatoes, spring onions, lemon juice, and olive oil to make a fresh and healthy salad.
Chimichurri sauce – A herby sauce made with fresh parsley, basil, and coriander, along with shallots, red wine vinegar, and garlic. Serve on steaks or grilled chicken.
Gremolata – This Italian condiment also contains lemon zest, and garlic, and it’s perfect on roasted vegetables, pasta, and meats.
Garlic butter – Combine it with butter, garlic, and salt for a useful ingredient in making garlic bread or mashed potatoes.
Mojo verde – Add it to coriander, cumin, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil and put them in a mortar and pestle, then pound to a vibrant green paste. This Spanish sauce is useful for salads and with new potatoes, but it can also be served with bread as an appetiser like hummus.
Roasted cauliflower salad – Parsley adds balance to a Middle Eastern inspired dish containing cauliflower, shallots, kale, cucumber, mint, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, lemon, smoked paprika, honey, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.
Lemon butter sauce – An easy sauce made with lemon, butter, shallots, garlic, chicken stock, and parsley. A good sauce for chicken or pasta.
Herby lamb chops – Put the meat in a marinade of parsley stems, mint, rosemary, lemon zest, and garlic. Serve the cooked chops with a blended sauce of parsley leaves, mint, chives, garlic, and lemon juice.
Herbed meatballs – This dish uses spring onions, parsley, coriander, mint, onion, garlic, ground beef, and breadcrumbs. Serve on creamy unsweetened Greek yoghurt.
Take a look at our sample menus to see some of the dishes we create with herbs like parsley.
