Leah J. Utas, of The Goat's Lunch Pail, was one of the very first Cranky Fitness commenters ever, and is a frequent and much beloved contributor here. So Cranky Fitness pleased to bring you her guest post. She has actual practical information on a Very Helpful Herb you may not be acquainted with. And since Leah has graciously taken care of Content for the day, there may be another post later today just about Blog Things. Now... here's Leah.Savory, like so many other herbs and spices doesn’t get a lot of press.
Savory is good. It’s a tasty addition to meat marinades and it’s easy to grow. But best of all, and possibly least known, is Satureja hortensis is the bean herb.
The humble bean is good for us. It’s cheap, versatile, healthy, easy to cook, and easy to store. However, beans have a rather unfortunate anti-social side effect that has kept them on the sidelines.
The good news is beans need only a little help from savory in order to get over this social awkwardness.
Savory is the bean herb because it aids us in digesting them.
Add it to the cooking water. I add it to the soaking water too, usually about a tablespoon of the dried herb to a cup of beans.
It works with navy beans, lima, kidney, and pinto alike that I have personally tested, and I’ve even used in the cooking water of black-eyed peas. It also works with canned beans.
A tablespoon may be more than needed, but I grow my own and have a lot of it.
I add about a teaspoon more to the cooking water. It’s an extra kick to the digestive system and I like the flavor.
If you’re not familiar with this herb it’s a good idea to chew a wee bit of it first to get to know it.
If you don’t like, maybe just use it in the soaking water. You can cover any lasting flavor with other spices later on.
Savory can be made into a tea to help with upset stomach and assorted intestinal disorders. John Lust in “The Herb Book” noted this includes “…cramps, nausea, indigestion, and lack of appetite.”
He adds that the tea is also used as a gargle for a sore throat.
To make a tea use two to four teaspoons per cup of water. Lust’s book doesn’t say how long to steep it, but the general rule for herb or spice teas is between five and 10 minutes.
Winter Savory (Satureja Montana) has the same properties as Summer Savory. I’ve grown both and they taste the same to me.
So why not give savory a try?
