Precious Thyme

>> Saturday, 22 November 2008

Given that long ago thyme was used for its antiseptic properties and medicinal uses, and in ancient times some bathed in its water to renew their energy while others used it for embalming, we should really feel fortunate, to be able to get three varieties of this herb while many the world over only get one variety and I’m not talking about flavours here but rather, thyme in general. Click here to read the rest of the column.

Left: regular thyme. Top right: Broad-leaf thyme. Bottom right: Guyanese thyme

Like I said in the column, one of the things I like to make is a garlic-thyme butter that is really excellent with pork. Works great with other meats as well.



Garlic-Thyme Butter

INGREDIENTS
1 head roasted garlic
3 tablespoons finely chopped thyme
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon oil

METHOD
Add all the ingredients to a mortar with pestle and grind to a creamy consistency

Thyme Lemonade is very refreshing, the recipe can be found in the column.


Just this past week my dear friend, Meeta also showed dishes using thyme. Go check it out, she recommends them as a Thanksgiving starter.

76 comments:

veggie belly November 22, 2008 3:16 PM  

This is beautiful and mouthwatering! Gorgeous photos, I love the collage of the thyme. Garlic and thyme sound so good together, I can think of so many uses for the 'butter'!

VeggieGirl November 22, 2008 3:54 PM  

I LOVE the combination of garlic & thyme - such wonderful flavors.

jesse November 22, 2008 4:10 PM  

Yum, veggie belly is right, that garlic and thyme butter offers limitless possibilities!

Karin November 22, 2008 6:41 PM  

I'll always remember a fish stew my husband and I had at a small coastal restaurant many years ago. The fresh thyme flavor of this fish stew is one of those things I remember because it was so good.

Keva,  November 22, 2008 7:10 PM  

HI Cynthia. Just a quick comment about thyme. I grew up seeing my mom and grandmother cooking with it so now I cook with it and I always have a bunch in my kitchen.
Also, in reference to broad leaf thyme, we call that wild thyme in the Virgin Islands. It makes a good bush-tea. You can drink it in the morning for breakfast or in the evenings just before bedtime.

Rosa's Yummy Yums November 22, 2008 7:49 PM  

I love thyme and use it a lot when cooking! That recipe is relly wonderful! Yyour last picture is great!

Cheers,

Rosa

doggybloggy November 22, 2008 9:21 PM  

very mouthwatering-this has endless possibilities -

Nags November 23, 2008 4:37 AM  

lovely pics! never knew there were different kind of thyme

sra November 23, 2008 6:43 AM  

We don't get much thyme here, only in certain shops and only now and then.
As for drinks, I've had a carrot and thyme juice and liked it a lot!

Yasmeen November 23, 2008 7:33 AM  

Images of Fresh are tempting me to buy a bunch of them soon.I've never used thyme; cilantro ,fenugreek and mint are usual herbs in my recipes.

Cynthia,I'm requesting bloggers to share their opinion of plagiarism and ways to protect our content in the blogs.could you please share your views and ideas too.

srikars kitchen November 23, 2008 8:22 AM  

Wonderful combination of garlic & thyme... sounds delicious..

TBC November 23, 2008 10:30 AM  

I've only used dried thyme. I like the sound of this butter especially since it has all that garlic in it.:)

Half Baked November 23, 2008 10:31 AM  

I love thyme! That lemon aid looks so refreshing and delicious!

The Peanut Butter Boy November 23, 2008 1:35 PM  

Great pictures Cynthia, it sounds wonderful on pork. Lemonade though, that's an interesting one. I can imagine it's similar to how a slice of cucumber makes for a nice refreshing glass of regular or sparkling water.

Happy cook November 23, 2008 3:40 PM  

I have never made tyme butter,garlice i have had. The combination has to be exceltn. it sounds delicious.
I love that whole plate of food you have served up.
If it is potatoe i see on the side, it looks crunchy and delicious.

Anamika:The Sugarcrafter November 23, 2008 4:12 PM  

Hi cynthia
Interesting..i liked this combination as well, though we have been using it along with other spices. Liked your post on baking as well.

Caminarsingluten November 23, 2008 4:22 PM  

Este plato debe de estar riquísimo.

Besotes,

Ana y Víctor.

Bharti November 23, 2008 5:09 PM  

Mm..the roasted garlic and thyme butter needs to be made. Thanks for the idea Cynthia.

Irmina Díaz-Frois Martín November 23, 2008 5:39 PM  

Cynthia you're always welcome. Thank you very much for your comment and your visit.
This recipe is very succulent.
A kiss.

Lisa November 23, 2008 7:24 PM  

I love all fresh herbs. Your chops look delicious. I am going to have to try your lemonade.

Bren November 23, 2008 7:35 PM  

im adding this to my list of sauces and things.. just too good to pass up.

egeli November 23, 2008 8:05 PM  

TANK'S CYTHİA FOR YOUR VİSİT AND COMMENT.CAN YOU WRİTE ME A RECİPES OF ''RAİSİNS BUNS'' AND ''BUTTERMİLK BİSCUİTS'' PLAİSE....BECAUSE İT'S VERY VERY DELİCİOUS....TANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'M VERY SORRY ,BECAUSE I'M NOT VERY GOOD SPEAK ENGLİSH !

"Joe" who is constantly craving November 23, 2008 8:50 PM  

a very beautiful entry about a very beautiful aromatic herb..ohh yum!

glamah16 November 23, 2008 10:10 PM  

Great photos. I would love to try the thyme lemonade.

Pragyan November 24, 2008 1:25 AM  

Wow, love the pic of thyme in water :) It's awesome!! Garlic thyme butter is a great idea..I always waste half the thyme bunch whenever I get it ..this seems to be a good use the next time I have some thyme lying around!

Vij November 24, 2008 2:19 AM  

Lipsmacking pics!
Do try rasam n I will be really happy to ans ur queries!!!
Do keep me posted!

Jayashree November 24, 2008 4:44 AM  

The broad leafed thyme looks so much like a medicinal plant that I grow in my home. Wonder if it is the same thing. I've never tried cooking with it.

Beachlover November 24, 2008 5:35 AM  

I only use thyme when roasting turkey ,other then that I never use it.It's good to know it's a good combination for other meat too.

Núria November 24, 2008 10:43 AM  

I do love thyme too, Cynthia. And here we get the regular one... I didn't know there could be more than one type of thyme!

The garlic and thyme butter is a wonderful idea!!!!

Laura (France) November 24, 2008 11:16 AM  

Great post, I've never seen the broad laves tyhme before fascinating - the other one looks a lot like the wild thyme we get in Provence excdnt the stem is more of a redish colour.

Salt N Turmeric November 24, 2008 12:52 PM  

I should have made these garlic-thyme butter to go with my lamb chop. Next time I know I will. :)

Jaya November 24, 2008 1:00 PM  

Cynthia,
never experimented with so much with Thyme.Thyme Lemonade looks so refreshing and all the pics are WOW! I liked the collage also ...
Hugs and smiles

Meg Wolff November 24, 2008 2:44 PM  

I have only had the kind on the left. I learned something new today.

Peter M November 24, 2008 4:03 PM  

Thyme is a wonderful, year-round earthy herb...love the cocktail too!

Cham November 24, 2008 6:23 PM  

Thyme butter definetly sounds delicious with endless creation.

Chris November 24, 2008 10:14 PM  

ooooh - This garlic thyme butter might be the latest addition to my Thursday meal. :)

Pat November 24, 2008 11:37 PM  

Hi Cynthia!
Sorry I haven't visited lately --I have not had much computer time one way or another lately and I'm so behind on visiting my favorite blogs --it was nice to catch up with yours this evening!
I grow a few varieties of thyme in my garden every summer -- I love it's beautful scent and flavor. I always put it, along with sage and garlic cloves, inside my Thanksgiving turkey when I roast it.
Hugs, Pat

Mochachocolata Rita November 24, 2008 11:54 PM  

oh man...now i want thyme too...i want a whole herb garden!

Ivy November 25, 2008 1:00 AM  

Pity we only get the regular type of thyme only. I suppose you use it as much as we use oregano in Greek cuisine but we do use thyme as well. Your recipes look delicious. There's an award for you on my blog.

Uma November 25, 2008 1:49 AM  

thyme butter sounds so good! lovely combo of thyme and garlic.

Shella November 25, 2008 3:34 AM  

Hey Cynthia - I would really love to use some thyme coz I've read so much about it.....Your pics and write are beautiful- as always...

Karin November 25, 2008 5:48 AM  

Here's something for you. Bye and greetings from Sweden.

Sireesha November 25, 2008 7:27 AM  

Wonderful combination looks very delicious...

krystyna November 25, 2008 7:45 AM  

Thank you Cynthia for this great post/and great article about my lovely Thyme!
And thanks for link to Meeta. Her mushroom soup with thyme is a great idea for elegant serving.
I'm happy and very thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

OhioMom November 25, 2008 8:37 AM  

I love thyme, have a pot growing in my kitchen (brought indoors at the end of the growing season). I use it in combo with rosemary on winter root veggies roasted in the oven and in veggie soup.

Swati November 25, 2008 8:48 AM  

The pictures are lovely... the butter thyme sounds delicious...

Dawn November 25, 2008 4:01 PM  

Oh yes I agree with you about thyme. And do you know I had an Italian cookie with thyme, cheese, garlic and something else. Well, it was out of this world tasty.
Gorgeous photos here my friend!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Gabi@ mamaliga November 25, 2008 4:04 PM  

Cynthia,

I see "English Thyme" in certain online nurseries. I intend to buy the regular and wondering if that is commonly known in the USA as English Thyme.
Thanks!

Cheers!
Gabi @ Mamaliga.com

Rosie November 25, 2008 5:58 PM  

I love thyme and your garlic and thyme butter does sound very good!

Rosie x

Sharmi November 25, 2008 11:15 PM  

have to try Thyme in my veggies:)

kathryn November 25, 2008 11:26 PM  

I still use thyme for its medicinal qualities, often putting some sprigs in a tea with ginger, lemon, cinnamon and honey (at the first sign of a cold). Plus I use it's concentrated extract in clinic.

Having just planted a little bush in my garden, this is perfect timing Cynthia - I shall be enjoying everything with thyme very soon!

Nina Timm November 26, 2008 1:59 PM  

Thyme is my favorite herb. I love it with pork, lamb, chicken and fish!
This is a mean plate of food, the chop,the topping and...oh, those roast potatoes.....delicious!!!!

Chuck November 26, 2008 2:02 PM  

Cynthia, I could kick myself for not coming to your site earlier. We had pork chops yesterday and if I had known about your Garlic - Thyme Butter I definitely would have given it a try.

I have printed the recipe out and placed it on the fridge for next time. The roasted potatoes look good too!

DaviMack November 26, 2008 3:38 PM  

It's good on potatoes, too (although it looks wonderful there with all the meat). :)

Alli411 November 27, 2008 8:49 AM  

Wow, your book is coming out- how exciting!!! I look forward to reading it. Gorgeous photos!

Cutie November 27, 2008 10:55 AM  

I never knew that thyme goes well with pork. Does dried thyme works as well as the fresh ones? I think I might consider preparing this dish for Xmas.

Paz November 27, 2008 11:02 AM  

Oh wow! Everything looks so good as usual. I can't wait to make my butter, especially. ;-)

Paz

meeso November 27, 2008 12:00 PM  

Woah, that last plate looks awesome! Such a nice presentation, it would be hard to disturb :)

Curry Leaf November 27, 2008 12:41 PM  

Nice to know,your cookbook is coming up on 30th Nov.Just now read about it in Deeba's Blog.Lovely and Keep up the good job.All the best,Cynthia LOL Sweatha

DEESHA November 27, 2008 12:52 PM  

I loved the lemonade pic .. looks truly refreshing

Pragyan November 27, 2008 2:40 PM  

Hey Cynthia - Wishing you lots of best wishes and all the luck in making your upcoming book a great great success. Congrats!! Just waiting to grab a copy from Amazon..may it become the best selling book ever!!!

Darius T. Williams November 27, 2008 7:05 PM  

Original and refreshing - I love this!

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

Jan November 28, 2008 6:32 AM  

That pork looks amazing! Your pictures are excellent as always.

Alanna @ A Veggie Venture November 28, 2008 9:51 AM  

I especially love that even here in cold 'n' snowy Missouri, thyme winters through. This means that throughout most of the winter, I can nearly always get just enough for stew, etc. Love the idea of thyme butter, Cynthia!

Gloria Chadwick November 28, 2008 12:01 PM  

I think it's time for me to make some garlic-thyme butter. :) Sounds absolutely delicious and very versatile. I'm picturing it on veggies.

Dwiana P November 28, 2008 2:17 PM  

I always like the smell of thyme. Your photographs are so lovely, I do enjoy it.

Dhi November 28, 2008 6:05 PM  

Great shot of thyme. Uh, and that lemonade got my curiosity .... looks so refreshing!

PG November 29, 2008 12:07 PM  

whta a wonderful recipe! looks fantastic! wonderful pictures too!

Latha,  November 29, 2008 2:30 PM  

Hi Cynthia,

I am visiting your blog after a looong time. Would like to complement on the new look.. it's so beautiful. Also I read at Meeta's blog that your book has been published. Congrats and my best wishes for a grand success.

I hope to drop by more often..

Raaga November 30, 2008 3:43 AM  

It looks perfect... and Cynthia: congratulations on the book launch at Amazon today. :-)

TavoLini December 01, 2008 9:25 AM  

look at those pretty radishes :)

The butter sounds fantastic!

Deborah December 06, 2008 2:22 PM  

I'd have a hard time choosing my favorite herb, but I know that thyme would be in the top 5!

Roopa December 12, 2008 9:19 PM  

What a cool lemonade ! I love that cool white color :) I love trying spices, never used thyme , my current spice is basil. I am looking forward to try thyme too . It looks tempting:)

Anonymous,  August 02, 2009 1:05 AM  

Has anyone found a source for Guyanese thyme yet? I would love to find the dried/packaged form, but would also be interested in plants. From my experience seeds are not an option - unless you know a miracle gardener perhaps? That would be my first and most important item. But I am also interested in finding a source for Married-Man's Pork.

It might be easier to find them if anyone knows the Latin/scientific name. I have poked around the internet a bit and heard it described as (the latin name for) Spanish thyme, Greek thyme etc, etc, but every time I find a picture of the claimed variety I can tell right away it is definitely not Guyanese thyme.

It imparts a flavour no other thyme gives to food, especially things like: black pudding, garlic port, etc.

If you find a source I would be grateful if you could pass it along. Many thanks.

Anonymous,  September 02, 2010 12:27 PM  

It is called lippia micromeria (fine-leaf thyme).

Anonymous,  September 16, 2010 2:26 PM  

i have these thyme, email if interested, asifgy@yahoo.com.

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