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Herbs de Provence

Herbs de Provence is a mixture of dried herbs from Provence, France that is ubiquitous in French cuisine. The traditional mixture typically contains Rosemary, Thyme and Bay, but often other regional herbs are added. Thyme usually dominates the taste produced by the herb mixture. The American blends always include Lavender - and was possibly inspired by the bucolic purple fields of fragrant Lavender while visiting this beautiful region.

The herbs are dried and cut to a fine size and stored in a jar and are used as you would any other herb. The herb mixture is added directly to the food or mixed with olive oil or butter oil prior to cooking so as to infuse the flavor into the cooked food. They are rarely added after cooking is complete.

Alternatively, for stews and soup dishes I like to place a tablespoon of the herb mixture into a muslin bag or reusable tea bag (the type with a drawstring). The bag is added to the stew as it cooks and is removed after the dish is complete and infuses the flavor into the food.

Ingredients

Try various combinations until you find the one that appeals to you. Make as little or as much as you need.  Here are some guidelines:

You can add smaller portions of the following herbs, depending on your taste:

  • Basil
  • Fennel
  • Mint
  • Orange or Lemon Zest
  • Tarragon
  • Crushed Bay leaf (use only if the mixture is to be added using the infusion bag method)

Uses

  1. Sprinkle them over roasting meat or veggies. For veggies, toss with some olive oil and some of the herbs and then roast until done.
  2. Add to olive oil and lemon juice and add to grilled meat or fish.
  3. Toss them with cooked green fresh beans, sautéed quickly in olive oil.
  4. Stir some into your vinaigrette.
  5. Add to scrambled eggs and omlettes, especially with goat cheese.
  6. Dry rub meat before grilling.
  7. Add to soups and stews. Any dish that has the classic ingredients of Provence; tomatoes, garlic, onions and will partner really well with this mixture.
  8. Tie up a little bag of them for a gift.