Dill Or No Dill?

Dill or no dill? This was a the question that came to me when moving to Bulgaria. It was no dill in the UK and dill when I got here. Dill is used extensively in Bulgarian dishes. There is no stopping me now once I discovered it and grow it both in the town and village location.

It will be now surprise that Dill comes originally from Eastern Europe (Bulgaria included.) There are also varieties in Mediterranean and in West Asia. Dill was even found in the tomb of the Ancient Egyptian Amenhotep II, late Neolithic lakeshore settlements in Switzerland and in Roman ruins in the UK.

The name dill probably came from Norse or Anglo-Saxon word 'dylle' that translates 'to soothe.' The ancient Greeks saw dill as a sign of prosperity and it was used in 8th banquets to cure hiccups. In the middle-ages saw dill as a erotic love potion and to keep evil witches away. American Puritans and Quakers gave dill seeds to their children to chew during long church meetings as it acted as a hunger-suppressant.

Dill has fernlike leaves, which are aromatic. These are used and are used to flavour a variety of foods including soups and pickles where the flowers of the dill are often used. Dill is best when used fresh due to it loosing its flavour very quickly. Modern freeze-dried dill leaves preserve their flavour well and will last up tot six months.

The dill seed is used as a spice, with a flavour somewhat similar to caraway, but also resembling that of fresh or dried dill weed. Dill oil can be extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant. The seeds were traditionally used to soothe the stomach after meals.

Growing dill Successfully requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; perfect in Bulgaria. Partial shade will reduce crop quality substantially. Dill likes rich, well-drained soil.

The seeds are gathered by cutting off the flower heads, as the seed is begins to ripen. The seed heads are placed upside down in a paper bag and left. The seeds then separate from the stems easily for storage in an airtight container. It is very easy to manage.

Dill is great is grow in containers. You can use normal potting compost and keep the plants well watered. You can easily grow dill indoors, just sow the seeds October in small pots then transplant them to larger pots when the plants are about over 15 cm in height. A sunny windowsill is an ideal place for them to grow on although you might need a stake to support them eventually The crop will be ready for harvest about tow months after sowing.

This Dill Sauce recipe was tried and tested from the BBC and was found to be superb especially served with fish dishes.

Dill Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

15g/½oz sugar
200ml/7fl oz red wine vinegar
80g/3oz Dijon mustard
400ml/14½fl oz olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large tbsp fresh dill, chopped

Method:

1. Whisk the sugar, vinegar and mustard together in a bowl.
2. Slowly whisk in the oil until smooth and thickened.
3. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and add the dill.

Recipe from www.bbc.co.uk/

Mint the Cool Herb

There are about 20 varieties of mint, originating from Mediterranean area through to Western Asia. Mint can be propagated by seed, but can also swiftly take over a herb bed by creeping underground root systems. Mints are perennial, dying down in the winter.

The Romans looked upon mint as a carminative, helping flatulence and the digestion of heavy foods. The peppermint variety was not discovered in Britain until 1696, in Hertfordshire, and is now subsequently cultivated in Surrey region of the UK.

Mint now has been confirmed in treating stomach, carminative and antispasmodic problems. It is a tonic and stimulant as well as being good for nervous disorders, nervous vomiting and flatulence. It is especially recommended for old people for its digestive values, and for convalescence, fatigue and anaemia.

MINT OIL

The leaves and flowers are picked just before maturation this is when the essential oil content is at its peak. The mint is then steam distilled The fresh, the oil is very fluid with is thickening and darkening with age.

ITS USES

It is good for the nervous system as a regulator and sedative. The menthol it contains is good as tonic for the heart and pharmaceutical companies now process the oil.

It is good as it cleans the blood and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Mint tea is good for acne LINK or spots and for if you feel nauseous


Tea recipe
2 tbsp chopped fresh or 2 tsps dried mint leaves
1 pint boiling water,

leave to infuse for 5 minutes

Optional
Sweeten with add honey or sugar if.

It is excellent for bruises and swellings based on this recipe
mix up an oil made from 4 tsp soya oil, 15 drops of mint oil it should be applied straight away and repeated for a few hours

Swollen gums or mouth ulcers can be treated by mixing 2 tsp rakia, cognac or whisky, 5 drops mint oil and 1/2 pint hot water. Gargle the mixtures several times during the day until it is all used up, Try to leave the mixture in the mouth for as long as possible after each gargle.

Toothache, no problem mint is a good remedy. Add a few drops of the oil onto some cotton wool and press it against the tooth. It is an anaesthetic due tot he menthol content and the pain will slip away in time for a less painful trip to the dentist.

Mint itself is quite harmless, but the concentration of the oil and the menthol content, can cause reactions and advice has been issued for its use.

- Mint oil should never be used undiluted, it may cause a bad reaction.

- In the bath, never us mint oil on its own.

- Use the oil on little areas of your body, never all over because of the menthol it would be quite dangerous.

- Using mint oil at night will keep you awake.

- Don't mix mint remedies with homoeopathic remedies as mint acts as an antidote!

Finally:
Mint is easily grown but transplanting roots or by seed, but try and grow them in containers as they spread like wildfire and you will end up with a mint garden. As the saying goes, too much of a good thing is bad.

Add. Cooking with mint takes on another chapter and will be dealt with at a later time.





http://bulgarianslivatree.com
http://365bulgarianadvetures.com
http://site4truelove.com
http://therakiasite.com
http://doshforu.com