4 Recipes to Make the Most of Fresh Herbs

Did you know that the use of herbs and spices has been incredibly popular and important throughout history? Before we started using herbs for culinary use to bring a variety of delicious tastes into our food, herbs were actually celebrated and used for their medicinal properties. Even today, herbs are still known to carry some remarkable health benefits. So to celebrate the new launch of Hydro Herbs on our website, we’ve put together a list of 4 delicious recipes to make the most of fresh herbs and their benefits!

This refreshing summer fruit salad with fresh basil and mint leaves is the perfect dish to enjoy in the summer for breakfast, or as a side dish during a heatwave!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup lime juice
• 1 teaspoon agave
• 3 tablespoon chopped mint leaves
• 1 ½ tablespoon chopped basil leaves
• 3 cups watermelon balls
• 2 cups cantaloupe balls
• 2 cups honeydew balls
• 3 cups sliced strawberries

Method

To make the dressing simply whisk together the lime juice, agave and your chopped herbs. For the salad, use a melon baller to carve out small balls of watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe melon. Then slice the strawberries into thin round circles. In a mixing bowl, combine the strawberries with the melon balls and drizzle everything with the dressing, then transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy!

Recipe by Lexi and Beth

Take a look at our new Mint and Basil Hydro Herb Kits, perfect for this refreshing summer fruit salad recipe.

Nothing says holiday like a good ceviche. This Latin American dish of fish cured in lime juice and coriander is fresh, vibrant, healthy and will make you feel like you’re on holiday!

Ingredients

• 500g of white fish fillets, skinned and thinly sliced
• 250ml lime juice
• 1 red onion, sliced into rings
• handful of green olives, finely chopped
• 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
• 2-3 tomatoes, chopped into pieces
• large bunch of coriander, roughly chopped
• ​​2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• pinch of caster sugar
• tortilla chips, to serve

Method

In a large bowl, combine the fish, lime juice and onion. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge for 1 hr 30 mins to marinate. After marinating, remove the fish and onion from the lime juice and place in a new bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients - olives, chillies, tomatoes, coriander and olive oil. Stir, then season with a good pinch of salt and sugar. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy with a refreshing drink.

Recipe by James Martin

Take a look at our new Coriander Hydro Herb Kit, which is ideal to make this fresh and healthy ceviche recipe.

Image: Elise Bauer

This next recipe is perfect for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day! If you’re not a drinker, you can skip the white rum and you’re left with a deliciously refreshing, lime and mint mocktail!

Ingredients

• 10 large mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 2 1/2 ounces of white rum
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Sparkling water
• Fresh mint, to garnish
• Lime, thinly sliced to garnish

Method

Place the mint, sugar, and 1/2 ounce of the rum into a mortar and pestle, and crush until it forms paste. Then add the rest of the rum and let it infuse for a few minutes. Strain the mixture, top with some sparkling water, and enjoy!

Take a look at our new Mint Hydro Herb Kit, perfect to make this refreshing summer drink!

Recipe by Terry and Jenny

Take a look at our new Thyme Hydro Herb Kit, which is ideal to make this delicious lemon thyme cake!