5 Easy Healthy Recipes Using Herbs

Herbs are a great way to add healthy doses of flavor to your meals! Dr. Will Clower shared five easy healthy recipes using fresh and dried herbs below!

Quinoa with Herbs
Many people are exploring and enjoying the unique flavor of the grain quinoa. Talk about a nutrition powerhouse! Quinoa is packed with fiber and protein. This grain is the perfect base to a meal and the herbs in this dish make it pop!

What you’ll need:

1 cup quinoa
14.5 ounces chicken stock
3 tablespoons water
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¾ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt to taste

What you’ll do:

1. Combine stock, water, and pepper in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Stir in quinoa, reduce heat to low, and cook, covered, about 12 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed.
3. Remove from heat and stir in olive oil, oregano and thyme. Cover again and allow to stand 5 more minutes before serving. 4. Salt to taste.

Herbed Goat Cheese Dip
Herbs can be used in many different forms. Not only do they add flavor to our foods, but they are also bonuses to our health. This herbed goat cheese dip makes a wonderful sandwich spread and appetizer.

What you’ll need:

8 ounces goat cheese
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

What you’ll do:

1. Mix goat cheese, oil and yogurt in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl.
2. Mix in all herbs and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Chill at least an hour before serving.

Mediterranean Spread
This appetizer submitted by Linda at Westinghouse is a great way to incorporate basil into your diet.

What you’ll need:
2 (12 ounce) jars roasted red peppers (drain and cut into strips)
6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (or other white cheese)
½ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
1 cup fresh basil, torn into strips (or dried equivalent)
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped black olives
French bread or crackers

What you’ll do

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9″ ceramic dish with cooking spray.
2. Layer red peppers, goat cheese, pine nuts, and basil alternately. Drizzle with olive oil and then cover with parmesan cheese. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Top with tomatoes and olives. Serve with French bread or crackers. Enjoy!

Salmon in Dill Sauce
Herbs make meals come to life and they are also super for our health! Dill is one of those special herbs that works wonderfully with salmon.

What you’ll need:

2 pounds of salmon steaks
Salt
Pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup sour cream
½ teaspoon dill

What you’ll do:

1. Melt the butter in skillet on low heat.
2. Cook salmon 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Turn twice, salt and pepper to taste. When salmon is done remove to hot platter.
3. Put sour cream and dill in skillet and turn heat off. Sour cream should be warm after a few minutes. Pour over salmon and serve.

Salad Dressing Base
Herbs can easily be incorporated into this salad dressing. Switch it up each time you make it.

What you’ll need:

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Brown mustard to reach a consistency you prefer.

What you’ll do:

Mix all of the ingredients together. This is your base. You can jazz it up if you like.

Suggestions:

• Add herbs or spices as you find fit for your taste (oregano, garlic, cayenne etc.)
• You may want to add a bit of honey.
• Try a flavored balsamic vinegar.
• Make a larger quantity and store in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature and mix before using.