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Prudence Hilburn: Balance key to successful use of fresh herbs Comment By Prudence Hilburn More Content Now MailTribune.com By Prudence Hilburn More Content Now Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 9:13 AM By Prudence Hilburn More Content Now Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 9:13 AM » Social News It is my belief that for food to taste good, there are two important factors to be considered: knowing how to season properly and having a sensitive palate that can detect over-seasoned, underseasoned and perfectly seasoned food. Herbs are great flavor enhancers but should never be used in excess. Too many herbs will many times overpower the basic flavor of the food to which it is added. Knowing how to properly season food doesn’t always come naturally. It sometimes takes a lot of trial and error. When I was growing up, about the only herbs my mother used were fresh sage, which she felt she had to have for her Southern chicken and dressing, and dill for pickles. When I first learned to cook, I had no idea how to season with herbs, but in time, I started experimenting and quickly learned the importance that herbs play in good food. The tomato and fresh basil flavor combination was a hit with my palate the first time I tasted it. My cream of tomato soup is simple but tastes great when made with fresh basil. It is best when home-grown tomatoes are in season. In the off-season, Roma tomatoes are best to use. Fresh dill is another favorite herb. I especially like it in salad dressings and sauces. I think I could eat my Fresh Dill and Cucumber Vinaigrette by the spoonful. The dill-flavored mayonnaise makes the walnut chicken salad a flavorful addition to springtime luncheon buffet. Seasoning is important. Perhaps learning to season properly will not pave a road to success for us in the way it did for Colonel Sanders and Paul Prudhomme, but it will definitely make a difference in the taste quality of the foods we prepare. Cream of Tomato Soup Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup finely chopped onion 6 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste) 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup heavy cream Melt the butter in a large skillet. Sauté the onion until tender but not browned. Add the chopped tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat until the tomatoes are soft. Don’t let them get mushy. This will probably take about 10 minutes. Pour the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and, while the machine is running, gradually add the heavy cream. Continue processing until smooth. Best served slightly warm. A sprinkling of grated cheese over the top adds a nice taste boost. Fresh Dill and Cucumber Vinaigrette Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped, peeled and seeded cucumbers 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion (such as Vidalia) 1/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup rice vinegar 1 teaspoon minced fresh dill (more, if desired) 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste) 1 cup oil Combine cucumber, onion, sugar, vinegar, dill and salt in bowl of food processor. Process until smooth. Gradually add oil and process until thoroughly blended. Pour into jar, seal and refrigerate until time of serving. Shake well before using. Walnut Chicken Salad Ingredients: 5 cups coarsely chopped cooked chicken breast 2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts 1 cup raisins 1 cup coarsely chopped celery 1 large red apple, coarsely chopped (unpeeled) 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill 1 cup mayonnaise Combine chicken, walnuts, raisins, celery and apple. Toss to mix. Combine dill and mayonnaise and mix well. Stir just enough of this dill mayonnaise into the salad to coat the mixture. Just before serving, spoon onto curly leaf lettuce. Serve with assorted crackers. Serves 8 to 10. Prudence Hilburn of Piedmont has won more than 30 national cooking awards and written several cookbooks, including “Kitchen Keepers.” Write her at [email protected] or visit prudencehilburn.com . By Prudence Hilburn More Content Now MailTribune.com By Prudence Hilburn More Content Now Posted Apr. 6, 2015 at 9:13 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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