Provencal or Provence herbs. How to make them at home? Uses and benefits in the kitchen

For 4 0.5 €/pers. 35 kcal/100g

We continue on a culinary trip through France to make a bouquet of these herbs from Provence that you have seen so many times in stores and in packaged food advertising. Don’t worry, don’t worry, you can make your personal mix at home, without any difficulty. First, let’s review what the region’s cuisine is like.  

But first of all, know a little more about them. Provençal herbs are those plants used to cook and preserve food, whose origin is in the Mediterranean basin where they were dried. But they are known as Provencal because it was in French Provence , in the southeast of the country, where they began to be used in cooking, back in 1970.

It is in the south of the country and borders the Mediterranean. So there are fish, seafood and also meats within its varied cuisine. Some of the most characteristic dishes are:  Gardianne de taureau  (bull stew). The  Rouille de Aigues Mortes , which has octopus, potatoes and a special aioli typical of the area. In addition, another local recipe is the  Brandade de Nimes . It has little to do with the fence we know because it does not have potatoes. In this case it is desalted and crumbled cod that is stirred patiently and rhythmically with olive oil and milk. As you will see, the cuisine of this region is simple but very tasty, taking advantage of the area’s aromatic herbs. 

What are the herbs of Provence?

• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Tarragon
• Chervil
• Laurel
• Savory
• Lavender (lavender)
• Basil
• Fennel. Although it is not an herb, it is used to give aromatic life to recipes.

Although it is a mixture of various plants, among which we can find thyme, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, basil, fennel, chervil, tarragon, bay leaf, savory, lavender… five are the most used in this mixture: basil, lavender , oregano, rosemary and thyme . And with them, it will be with those that I propose a basic recipe, which you can then customize to the taste of each house.

Not all of them are used at the same time, normally with this variety, you make different mixtures to give a different twist to your recipes.

Benefits of Provençal herbs

• Basil facilitates digestion as well as helping to reduce fatigue and cough, as well as skin irritation for different reasons. Try it with a delicious lamb roasted in honey.
• Lavender , in addition to its delicious aroma, its hot and cold infusions help not only to fall asleep but also to have good digestion. At the same time, it relieves respiratory problems and has anti-inflammatory properties. In this recipe for stuffed fried trout you can try the mixture of Provencal herbs.
• Oregano , in addition to reducing headaches, this plant has antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic and antispasmodic properties. Oregano is widely used in pasta or salad recipes such as the always popular spaghetti bolognese .
• Rosemary helps regulate bad cholesterol, facilitates digestion and relaxes rheumatic pain. In addition to contributing to improved sleep. Try it in this grilled monkfish recipe .
• Thyme is not only fantastic for reducing anxiety and thus giving a feeling of absolute relaxation, but it also helps improve respiratory problems such as bronchitis. A simple pinch of thyme can completely change the flavor of a dish, take a look at this butter bread recipe .

Preparation of Provençal herbs

1. Although you can buy them at any market, it is also very easy to make them at home and have them whenever you need them. As in everything, the proportions depend on who makes it, but a standard measurement would be the one you have in the list of ingredients.
2. We can make our personal contribution to this mixture by incorporating garlic, salt or freshly ground black pepper. We start with all the aromatics already dried, if you are going to collect them fresh, you have to dry them in the oven. Once the measurements have been taken, we mix them in a bowl and then grind them in the grinder.
3. When they are perfectly crushed and mixed, we store them in an airtight jar ready to use whenever you want.

Uses in the kitchen

Provençal herbs accompany barbecues or grills , delicious sauces, wonderful roast meats , traditional French stews and many types of fish and seafood. In some countries they are mixed with cottage cheese and rice. They are also used in sauces to accompany grilled chicken, combined with cream cheese and Provençal herb butter (perfect for dipping or cooking).

If we talk about meat, I recommend the veal round , the shoulder or other pieces that are normally roasted to gain flavor. They are also a great ally when preparing roast chicken , as they give this bird a tasty and aromatic touch.

Although the most common thing is to use them as a seasoning element. For example, in vegetable recipes such as the traditional Ratatouille or French vegetable tian , perfect as a single dish or as a side dish or garnish.

Tips for delicious Provençal herbs

• Not all Provençal herbs are native to Provence, make sure when buying them that they come from there. There is a type of designation of origin “ Origine Provence Garantie ”, which certifies that Provencal herbs have been grown, harvested, dried and packaged in  Provence .
• Provençal herbs provide many benefits, but I recommend consulting your doctor when consuming them for pregnant women, or certain diseases…
• Do not confuse Provençal herbs with the  fine herbs that can be used both fresh and dried and are parsley, coriander , chives, chervil or basil. These are more used in Spanish cuisine in a number of dishes such as roasted lamb shoulder. and they are mixed to the taste of whoever prepares them.