The Must-Have Kitchen Tool That Makes Prepping Herbs So Much Easier
There is no comparison between fresh and dried herbs. In raw meals such as salads, dressings, pesto, and garnishes, fresh herbs are indispensable. They have a superior flavor and taste than their dry counterparts. Their main disadvantage is a lack of preparation. Dried herbs are ready to use, but fresh herbs must be washed, stripped, and chopped. Depending on the herb, this process might be highly time-consuming.
If you enjoy utilizing fresh herbs, meet the herb remover, an underutilized tool that can help you prepare them faster.Herb strippers, as the name implies, aid in the removal of leaves from stems. They have varied sized holes to accommodate different herbs. Simply insert the stem into the tiniest hole it will fit into and drag it through until all the leaves fall off. Some strippers have large enough holes to remove kale or other green crops.
Some models may also have a blade, allowing you to strip and chop herbs with the same tool. Others have attached bowls to catch the leaves as they pass through the openings. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people cook with fresh herbs. After seeing how rapidly the stripper works, they may be inspired to use herbs more frequently. It may even inspire home chefs to try different herbs for the first time. So here are some pointers to keep in mind.
herb stripping bowl
To begin, immediately wash and dry any fresh herbs you purchase to remove any pests or dirt. Wrap the herbs in paper towels and place them in sealable bags. The paper towels will help keep the herbs fresh, but use them within a few days to get the most flavor out of them. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to appreciate their distinct tastes. Basil is one of the most popular herbs, possibly because of its sweet and somewhat spicy flavor. It is widely used in Mediterranean recipes, but it can also be used in other cuisines.
Not to mention that it’s the most commonly used herb in pesto. If you want to get the most out of your basil, add the leaves (not the stems) near the end of the cooking process, whether you’re making fish, chicken, or a homemade pasta sauce. Rosemary is a difficult plant to prepare, making it ideal for the herb remover. However, the leaves have a fantastic woody and pine-likе flavor. This makes it ideal for dishes such as lamb chops, poultry, roast beef, and roasted potatoes. It’s also great on flatbread, sweet potato fries, and even cake.
Cilantro, often known as the coriander leaf, is a contentious herb. Some individuals enjoy the bright and zesty flavor, while others claim that it tastes likе soap. However, it is a common ingredient in Asian and Latin American cuisine. Cilantro is wonderful both raw and cooked, and it is flavorful without being overbearing. Dill – Dill is a frequent ingredient in German and Scandinavian cuisine. It has a delicate flavor that is robust, fresh, and earthy. It goes well with a variety of cuisines, including poultry, yogurt, shellfish, salad, soup, and egg dishes such as quiche.
Marjoram – Marjoram has a softer flavor than oregano but is nonetheless potent. It goes well with vegetables and meat, but it can also be used to flavor salads, soups, sauces, fish, and other dishes. While the leaves are used in these dishes, keep the stems to enhance the flavor of a stock or soup. Thyme – Thyme can be found in French cuisine. Its floral scent and powerful flavor complement foods without overpowering other ingredients. A herb remover, likе rosemary, can make thyme preparation a breeze. It goes well with roast chicken, bread, potatoes, and cocktails.
Mint – While many people associate mint with drinks and pastries, there are plenty other ways to enjoy this herb. It goes well with salads, poultry, curries, and sandwiches. It can also be used to dress up a fruit salad. Parsley – Because of its fresh and delicate flavor, parsley is another useful and popular herb. While the leaves are the most effective, the stems can also be used in cooking. Use it as a garnish to season soups or to dress up salads. The possibilities are nearly limitless, but parsley pairs particularly well with pasta, butter, eggs, and lemon.
Oregano has a strong taste that is necessary in recipes such as chili pasta and pizza sauces. Unlikе herbs likе basil, oregano can resist heat, so use it at the start of the cooking process. However, use oregano sparingly so that it does not overpower the other ingredients. Save the stems to flavor stocks and soups.
11 Harmful Things Parents Do to Their Kids Without Realizing It
In the United States alone, a child is injured from falling from a high chair every hour. Parents might be overprotective with their kids when it comes to playing outside the house, but hidden dangers can be also found in seemingly safe places for kids like playgrounds or even at home.
Bright Side gathered a list of all those things that might look safe, but in reality, can be potential dangers for your child. Keeping in mind that our treasured toddlers need our 24/7 supervision, this list will give you a heads up on what other things you need to beware of in order to protect your little ones.
1. Letting them play dangerous sports
There are numerous advantages for kids who are practicing sports, but there is also a specific list of high-impact sports that can be potentially dangerous for them. The “big 6” to avoid, as forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu advises, are American football, ice hockey, mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling, and rugby. During these sports, a child receives multiple blows to the head, which have the risk of exposure to brain damage, according to neuroscientists.
Also, high-impact activities can cause significant compression of the spine and hyperextension of the back that can lead to serious injuries. The repeated engagement in these sports can aggravate scoliosis over time. Squatting, lifting weight over the head, hard landings like in cheerleading, and long-distance running should be avoided.
2. Letting them sit in a W position
The W position is a really common way kids choose to sit when playing on the floor especially because it’s comfortable for them. However, it is probably the most dangerous position for children to adopt and doctors advise parents to discourage their kiddos from sitting like this.
Moreover, osteopath Avni Trivedi stated during an interview that this position has become “a new health epidemic” that can highly impact a child’s development in their leg joints and hip bones, weaken their trunk muscles, and place extra pressure on their back, neck, and shoulders.
3. Giving them tablets (especially toddlers)
Kiddos spend more and more time in front of screens, especially their favorite new toy, the tablet. Doctors warn parents to reduce “screen time” as much possible because of the blue light, a portion of harmful light that these screens emit.
Common symptoms of overexposure to blue light are headaches, neck and shoulder pain, dry or irritated eyes, but also psychological ones like reduced attention span, poor behavior, and irritability. It can also affect their sleep and wake cycle, making them feel tired and exhausted.
4. Letting them go down the slide on your lap
Most parents think that when they are on the playground with their kiddos, it’s safer to go down the slide with their child on their lap. Actually, this is an extremely hidden playground danger that can cause leg fractures in children.
As pediatrician Dr. Diane Arnaout explains, the parent’s weight pushes everything downward at a higher speed, so in the case that any part of the kid’s shoe or arm sticks out of the slide, the leg or arm could twist and break.
5. Playing the Chubby Bunny game with your kids
Chubby Bunny is a very popular challenge kids usually do with their parents, where they have to place an increasing number of marshmallows in their mouth while stating the phrase “chubby bunny” as clear as possible.
Even though kids might find it extra fun and tasty, since they get to consume their favorite dessert after the game is over, this is a dangerous challenge and several incidents of chocking have occurred.
6. Standing on chairs
This is one of the most common reasons for children’s injuries, especially among toddlers. Kids are unstoppable, and they usually want to climb everything, including chairs. Falling from high chairs, in particular, is the main cause of head trauma and concussions.
Specialists advise parents to strap their kids into meal chairs, not allowing them to stand up, and also to always supervise them because there is always a possibility for the child to kick off from the table and knock over their chair.
7. Playing in the dirt
Kids love to get all dirty playing outdoors. What needs to be considered carefully though is where they play, because digging and playing with dirt can be extremely harmful to children. The main cause is lead and it’s dangerous effects on our health.
Even though lead paint in houses has been banned, there are still places with peeling lead paint like barns, garages, and old housing. Children might be exposed to that from bare soil since lead has been found in yards that were near those places. Lead itself is a poisonous metal that can cause brain damage and life-long problems.
8. Jumping on trampolines
Many parents have installed trampolines, both big and small, in their yards and their kids adore them. This seemingly funny and innocent jumping apparatus can be seriously harmful to children.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ instructions, trampolines shouldn’t be in any home with kiddos. This is because injuries caused by jumping on them happen really often and include broken bones, head injuries, like concussions, and harsher trauma that can lead to permanent brain damage and even death.
9. Mowing the loan with them
Both pushing and riding lawnmowers are heavy and extremely dangerous machines and can easily harm a young child who will probably want to come closer and see how it works. From cases involving kids falling from dad’s lap and getting injured to kids getting trapped under the heavy machinery to having eye injuries from the cut grass, this is not something you want your kid around.
According to HealthyChildren.org, in the United States alone “more than 9,000 children go to the emergency room for lawn mower-related injuries every year.” Children should stay inside the house as a precaution and be sure that neighborhood children aren’t around either.
10. Climbing on outside equipment
Playgrounds are children’s and parents’ favorite destination, however, continuous supervision is needed in order for kids to return safely home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 cases of children injured on the playground, some of which are fatal, end up in the ER every year in the USA alone. Most of them are caused by climbing. Even though it looks fun and athletic, climbing is one of the most common causes of falls and serious injuries.
11. Riding a bike without a helmet
It’s no surprise that cycling is one of the kids’ favorite activities since it gives them a sense of independence, freedom, and fun — exactly what they want. However, riding a bike can be dangerous when riding irresponsibly, especially for kiddos.
What applies to adults, of course, applies to children too. Wearing a helmet is the number one safety rule since it protects the head in case of a fall. Wearing one can prevent brain injuries and severe trauma. It is also important to never let your kid ride unsupervised. Cycling can be a great family activity, so be a good example and ride along with them with your helmet on.
We hope that this selection of potential dangers will help you and your kids enjoy a safer daily life. Are you an overprotective parent? What was the most dangerous adventure you got into as a kid? Tell us your stories in the comments.
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