Grown from a plant that has purple flowers and spade shaped leaves, oregano is a popular seasoning used in many savory dishes!
What is oregano?
I’ll admit it, I associate oregano with pizza, but the truth is it has so much more to offer. Closely related to the mint family and native to the Mediterranean, oregano has a slightly bitter, robust, and woodsy flavor.
Throw some into a marinade for chicken, chop it up and add it to your favorite bread dough, or add it to a soup to give it a little more wow.
I prefer to use fresh herbs, but you can certainly buy some dried oregano from the spice aisle at the grocery store.
Fresh herbs are a game changer in the kitchen. They can transform a dish in a way that dry herbs simply can’t. Think of them as a secret power play. Each one can take a bite from great to spectacular.
That said, they can seem daunting. Fear not! Once you get the knack for it, there is no turning back. Here are some general tips for fresh herbs:
- Fresh herbs are all about the oils. They carry them in their leaves and some cases, their stems. These oils are concentrated so the biggest rule of thumb is: a little goes a long way.
- When shopping for herbs, look for leaves that are perky with little to no brown spots.
- To store herbs at home, snip the roots a touch, wrap them loosely in a slightly damp paper towel, throw them in a Ziploc with a bit of air, and pop them in the crisping drawer. They will last much longer trust me.
