Swanky Or Simple...

Seven Herbs For Holiday Entertaining

- Alice Spencer-Higgs

Whether your holiday season entertaining is going to be gourmet or casual, here are seven quite ordinary herbs that can help you to produce extraordinary results.

Sweet basil, dill, parsley, mint, chives, thyme and origanum are not generally associated with festive fare, but with food trends favouring gourmet burgers, artisanal popsicles and rainbow food, there is a shift away from the traditional sage-stuffed chicken or lamb with mint sauce.

Instead we are talking fresh, fruity and plenty of green stuff(which includes herbs) for summer eating.

Gourmet burgers and beer? Who would have thought!

Burgers are popular again, but with a difference. They have gone gourmet, to be enjoyed with friends and loads of craft beer. Chop fresh thyme, dill, parsley and chives into the meat for an extra-tasty patty, or stuff a nugget of herb butter into the patty before cooking. Top with a tomato salsa (including chives, origanum and basil) or serve it on a bun spread with fresh tomato and sweet basil.

To make four large patties mix 540g beef mince with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, a bunch of chopped spring onions, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 beaten egg, and season with salt and pepper. Cook the burgers for three minutes on either side on a grill pan or pan with oil.

Cool for the pool

Artisanal food is a term that we hear a lot, and now it has been extended to popsicles (fruit ices). On hot days, especially at the beach or around the pool, there is nothing better. Artisanal popsicles are homemade ices combining fruit and herbs, like mint with watermelon or strawberry, basil with peach or mango, lemon thyme with grape, orange or pineapple, and dill with kiwi fruit. By using fresh fruit and natural sweeteners (honey) children can enjoy sweet treats without refined sugar.