Do you like to experiment with food? Do you like to try new recipes? No matter what your cooking level is, you don’t have to be a chef to cook like one. If you want to cook like a chef you can easily add an international Flavor to your cooking with some herbs and spices. Be it pasta or Thai food you can add that authentic taste one craves for with herbs and spices that are found in those regions. All you need to know is which herb goes with which cuisine. 

Dill

Dill is mainly used in European cuisine. It has a distinctive aroma and adds a fresh flavour to food. It is mainly used in preparing fish dishes. Both dry and fresh dill is used in cooking, but it’s best to use it fresh. You can use this to flavor your soups and yogurt as well or make a salad dressing by mixing it with olive oil. It can also be used to prepare a number of sauces. Dill sauce is popularly served with boiled eggs. 

Sweet Basil

If you love the flavor of pesto sauce then basil is your best friend in the kitchen. Sweet basil or basil is one of the most popular and widely used herbs and is the main ingredient of your favourite pesto sauce. It is native to southeast Asia and Africa as it grows mainly in the tropical regions. Basil can easily be dried and stored for future use. You can keep it fresh at room temperature in a glass of water. It adds a sweet peppery and minty flavor and hence is popularly added to soups stews and tomato dishes. When cooking with basil make sure it is added at the last moment because extreme heat destroys its flavor.

Thyme

Thyme is a herb that traces its origin from South Europe, mainly Spain and Italy. It is a popular herb used in salad dressing and sauces. Ancient Egyptians used it for embalming, while the Greeks  used it for bathing and in their temples. It has a slightly minty flavor and is mainly used in tomato soups and many fish and meat dishes. It is also used to flavor cheese. Thyme has many medicinal properties and is an antioxidant and also has anti-microbial benefits. The herb can be used in its dried and fresh form. Thyme essential oil is also good for the skin.

Sage

Sage is one herb with a number of health benefits. It is antibacterial, antiseptic, improves digestion and also works as a relaxant. It has a strong flavor hence very little needs to be added to your food, especially when using the dried herbs. It works well with high-fat meat like beef, pork, liver, and kidney. It is commonly used in many duck and chicken recipes. Italians chop sage and mix it with butter and then stir it into pasta or gnocchi. It is a great garnishing herb owing to its aroma and astringent like flavor. 

Oregano

With the spread of Italian cuisine, oregano has become a popular herb. People use dried oregano to add flavor to their pizza and pasta. Fresh oregano is used in a number of sauces and meat recipes. It goes really well with steak and seafood. Keep it in a damp cloth or tea towel to keep it fresh for longer. Oregano adds a minty taste to salsa and can be used in a number of dips.

Lemongrass

if you love Thai cuisine then you definitely have heard of Lemongrass. It is extensively used in Asian dishes and is an important ingredient in Thai curries. It has a refreshing citrusy lemony smell and flavor and is widely used in soups and curries. Because of its tartness, it is also used for stuffing and as rubs, mainly in different kinds of seafood. Lemongrass has many medicinal benefits and is used to treat headaches, nausea, and fever.  Because of its refreshing smell, lemongrass essential oil is used for aromatherapy and also added to potpourri. 

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