thyme for spring (or, 17 recipes that use thyme)

My birthday was last Friday and one of the things I got was a huge thyme plant. I use thyme in just about everything I cook, and can't stop looking at this beautiful plant hanging out on my dining table. (Having moved a few weeks ago, my apartment is still mainly filled with boxes and one thing I am desperately lacking is a side table or two.) Because my love for this earthy thyme is only growing day by day, I figured I'd share this beautiful herb and some uses for it I found from around the web.

Thyme is a very aromatic, earthy-flavoured herb that works well with many things, from vegetables to meat. I find thyme works really well in soups and stews, though it often is a part of a combination of herbs, more in a supporting role than a lead. I also love seasoning my ground beef with thyme, especially when it comes to Bolognese sauce or meatballs. Thyme is rather hardy, making it able to withstand long cooking times and should be added in the beginning of the cooking process. It can be used both fresh and dried.

Thyme works well with different meats, chicken and fish as well as in soups and stews, especially if they are tomato-based. Thyme goes well with pretty much all vegetables (mushrooms, onions and tomatoes especially) and beans. Like I said, I use thyme in just about everything I cook. In case of dessert, I find thyme pairs well with citrus fruits and honey.

Uses for thyme

The earthy flavour of thyme works really great in soups, such as cauliflower soup with sharp cheddar and thyme, the classic French onion soup, roasted tomato and thyme soup, or roasted tomato & carrot soup with mozzarella-thyme croutons.  For some heartier main course ideas, how about trying this lemon thyme chicken or Boeuf Bourguignon.

If you are looking for a side dish, some great options with thyme are parsnip gratin with gruyere and thyme, roasted carrots with thyme, crusted butternut squash with thyme and garlic and thyme quinoa patties. These lemon and thyme rolls would be a great accompaniment for a soup.

Not only is thyme great in savoury dishes but also in sweets: try lemon, honey & thyme sorbet, blackberry thyme buttermilk scones, stone fruit in lemon thyme syrup with creme fraiche or peach tart with thyme sugar. This apple thyme cake with caramel sauce and these thyme lemon tartlets are definitely on my to-make-soon list.

favourites: february 2013

It has been really warm and nicely sunny the past few days, making me sure that spring is here. That said, the weather forecast is promising a cold weekend with freezing nights and I already see bowls of soup and cups of warm beverages being enjoyed. Still, the hope of spring is here to stay.

• These brown sugar coconut oil cookies look ah-mazing.

• This black tea cake with honey buttercream would be perfect with that cup of tea in the afternoon. Or maybe with a cup of coffee so that I can enjoy the best of both worlds, coffee and tea.

• These Vanilla Lemon Swirl Bars will definitely be in my near future. They look oh so amazing and I just happen to have a jar of lemon curd waiting to be used.

• This Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup seems just too good.

• How to dry a bottle. I love bottles, especially the cheap but good-looking ones from IKEA, and here's a great way to dry a bottle after washing it.

• I can't stop looking at these photos by Jesse Morrow.

• A great post on our God who is able to sympathize. Such an important thing to remember when we are hurting or when life is too much.

favourites: october 2012

The first snow came last week and with it, comes the muddy season. The autumn colours have been embraced and now comes the season of mud; brown colour and bare trees. As the darkness settles in, it is the time to start embracing whatever comfort we have - candles burning in the dark, family nights, movies watched and books read under a blanket, smiles and hugs shared with our loved ones.

• I am dreaming of this Chocolate Peanut Butter Chess Pie. It has to happen, and soon.

• Cold days call for comfort dishes like this Beef Ragu. Because what could be more comforting than a mouthwatering bowl of pasta with meat sauce.

• It is the season of pumpkins and butternut squash, therefore this butternut squash and coconut rice is on the menu. Seriously, one of my favourites dishes ever.

• As it is also the season of cranberries, this cranberry snacking cake is a great way to use up some cranberries, besides the standard cranberry sauce.

• I am absolutely obsessed with Downton Abbey, and I really, really want to travel to the Downton Abbey / Highclere Castle. On that note, and because of the post, I'd also love to travel to London once again.

• A great list of 10 Ways to Get Unstuck. I'm planning to do all of them, in some way.

• Sometimes, God keeps us waiting. And in the waiting, He keeps us.

• Great thoughts on heaven.

favourites: august 2012

August and September are at the top of my favourite months, mostly because I absolutely love summer and early fall, and that's what August and September are. I love summer and its fresh produce, sunshine, colourful beauty and ice cream. And I love early autumn; the cool but not cold days, woollen socks, hot cups of tea and coffee enjoyed outside at the porch (under a blanket), apples (baked into crisps and crumbles), sweaters and boots. I'm excited.

• Speaking of tea and coffee (both of which I love), autumn is the time to start making dirty chai lattés. For that, it's good to have good spiced chai concentrate.

• This striped cotton sweater. Beautiful, cozy, pretty. Pair with black jeans and you're done. So, so pretty.

• DIY stencil pillow. I love the stencil, and this seems easy enough even for me to do.

• Also: celery-stamped scarf.

• Broccoli Mac and Cheese. Um, because really. To be honest, I'm not that big on mac & cheese. I think you need to grow up in the States to love that. Still, this dish seems absolutely delicious.

• I'm definitely making these raspberry oat bars. These are everything that I love - raspberries, coconut, oats. Simple, yet they look scrumptious. I think these will become a new favourite.

• Lemon curd filled doughnuts. I'm afraid of deep frying and therefore of making doughnuts, but these might just make me do it.

favourites: july 2012

• Blueberries are getting ripe for picking here in southern Finland, and I'm planning on picking as much as I can. Which means that blueberry muffins are in order.

• I also see a coconut crumble in my future. There seriously is no end to my love for coconut. I think those black currants pictured above would make a great filling for the crumble.

• DIY window art with Philippians 2:15. If only I had a window I could do this on. Easy and beautiful window art that can also easily be wiped away.

• This photo. That's what summer looks like here in Finland. I love it.

• A post on wearing forgiveness. So often, I tend to wear my shame instead of the forgiveness I have in Christ. This was a good reminder to mindfully wear forgiveness like a crown.

• 10 ways to be more hospitable. A post on how hospitality doesn't require a spotless house and extraordinary dishes. It's funny how I never really care whether or not the house is spotless when I visit somebody, but always feel like really tidying up when anyone comes over.

• Bible verse TOMS. In different colours and with different verses.

• Sesame Street: Share It Maybe. Cookie Monster spoofs the song 'Call Me Maybe'. The best ever.