Herb of the Month: Oregano

Oregano is one of those herbs that does not get enough credit. It can turn a plain old blah tomato sauce into a delectable marinara sauce or pizza sauce (and yes, there is a difference). Oregano gives that extra punch of earthy, bold flavor.

Trying to eat fresh oregano may leave a bitter taste in your mouth, but dried it is amazing! Well, I am not saying to eat dried oregano because that may be kind of gross, stick to the inside of your mouth, get between your teeth, and may seem like you are eating dry crunchy grass; but, what I am saying is adding oregano to a sauce, soup, stew, meat, or stir fry will elevate any culinary creation. The way I see it, there choices are endless!

Health Benefits

Oregano is high in antioxidants. What are antioxidants? According to WebMD, “Antioxidants are ingredients thought to reduce the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are substances that cause oxidative stress, which may contribute to aging and certain diseases. Taking antioxidants is thought to counteract these effects.”

Uses

Outside of making an amazing sauce with oregano paired with onions and garlic, you can use fresh oregano to infuse in oil or steep it to make a tea. You can also use oregano in dough for added flavor or make a compound butter. Hmm… Bread with oregano and a compound butter? Now, that’s a tasty pairing!

Did you know…

Oregano is related to many other herbs, such as thyme, mint, sage, basil, and lavender. Having said that, if anyone happens to be allergic to any of those herbs will most likely be allergic to oregano.