Thyme

Thyme is a green colored herb that has both culinary and medicinal use. This iron-rich herb, which is perennial, grows in a hot climate even in well-drained soil conditions. Thyme recipes generally include soups, stews, lamb dishes, tomatoes and eggs (scrambled and omelet). Though thyme can be used in a fresh form as well as dry, the fresh variety which is more flavored, is generally added at the beginning of cooking a dish. However, dry thyme has a longer shelf life and easy to store. The basic herb ingredient of most of the cuisines, ranging from Levantine, French, Italian, Indian, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Caribbean, Albanian, Assyrian, and even Turkish cuisine, is thyme.

History of Thyme Recipes
Thyme, native to the Mediterranean region, is believed to have been in existence since the early Greek civilization. This herb is supposed to have got its name from the Greek God ‘Thymus’. It was used by the ancient Greeks in their bath and also burnt as incense in the temples. The ancient Egyptians too used thyme for embalming the dead. Soon, the Romans spread thyme and thyme recipes all over Europe. In fact, the Romans flavored their liqueurs and cheeses with Thyme. Today, almost 60 varieties of thyme are grown and available in the market and some popular ones are garden thyme, lemon thyme, and orange thyme.
 

Culinary Uses of Thyme
Thyme has many culinary uses. It is added to various meat and vegetable dishes for enhancing their flavor. This herb releases its flavor very slowly; hence it is advisable to add the fresh or dry thyme leaves along with other ingredients of the recipe. Thyme recipes also include the ones that are sautéed, tossed, stewed, etc.; in fact, thyme recipes range from salads to desserts. Depending on the recipe, if fresh thyme is used, then it can either be chopped or used in the form of a sprig and if dry leaves are used, they can be powdered. Different thyme recipes of different cuisines have a range of culinary uses for thyme.
 

Popular Thyme Recipes of Various Cuisines
Thyme and thyme recipes are an integral part of most of the European, Middle East and American cuisines. Even Indian cuisine uses thyme in various recipes. Some popular thyme recipes are –

• American – Thyme Au Gratin Potatoes is a popular thyme recipe of this cuisine. This baked dish is prepared with potatoes, cheese, thyme and certain other spices. It is a delicious side dish. Pork cutlet with orange thyme is another popular thyme recipe of this cuisine.
• French – Thyme and Garlic Chicken is a popular thyme recipe of this cuisine. Chicken breasts, potatoes, thyme, parmesan and certain other ingredients are tossed together and baked till golden brown. Other popular thyme recipes of this cuisine are Lentils with Garlic and Thyme, Ratatouille with French Thyme, etc.
• Italian – Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon and Thyme is a popular thyme recipe of this cuisine. This recipe gets its flavor from red chili flakes, lemon juice, thyme and garlic, which are mixed and applied as a marinade on chicken breasts. Grilled Rack of Lamb with Cherry and Thyme, Gnocchi with Butte Thyme Sauce, Potato Casserole with Italian Asiago, Garlic and Thyme is some popular thyme recipe of Italian cuisine.
• Indian – Spiced Roast Salmon is a popular thyme recipe of this cuisine. Salmon fillets are marinated with various spices including thyme and then fried in olive oil, preferably. This dish is generally served with yogurt and lemon wedges. Other popular thyme recipes of this cuisine are Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup, Curried Lamb with Fresh Mango Chutney, etc.

Medicinal Uses of Thyme and Thyme Recipes
Thyme plays an important role in treating various ailments. Because of its tincture like effect, thyme is an active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash, and in tincture, tinsane, syrup, and salve which help as steam inhalators. Because of thyme’s antiseptic nature, it is boiled with water for treating throat infection.  Thyme boiled along with tea is known to help treat bronchitis and coughs. In fact, in various cultures, there are many such medicinal uses of thyme.

Nutritive Value of Thyme and Thyme Recipes
Thyme is known to be rich in iron, calcium, manganese, and vitamin K. It is also a good source of dietary fiber.

Thyme: Trivia

• Thyme is slow in releasing its flavor, but excessive exposure to heat can also destroy its essence. So it is important to take care of this while cooking with this herb.
• Thyme leaves were given to the knights as a symbol of courage pinned to a scarf, in the earlier days.
• Thyme was considered to ward off nightmares. Hence, people slept with the herb kept under their pillow and this enabled them to sleep well.
• Thyme is placed in coffins as it is believed to enable easy passage of the soul to the next life.