Seafarer Mama (Karen) loves to lose herself in the culinary arts by mixing her storytelling with sharing recipes.

Rosemary in the Kitchen Apothecary

Of all the herbs you can have in your spice collection, rosemary is a must. Its essence is calming and comforting.

Rosemary is a popular herb in spice mixes, especially in Italian cuisine. It's been used as a barbecue skewer and as a garnish to complete an entree. When I make pizza dough at home, I knead in rosemary crushed with my mortar and pestle. It is also a tasty ingredient to add to corn muffins.

Rosemary's aroma calms nerves and warms hearts. A tea or poultice with this herb and boiled water brings peace and relief from pain. Added to soups, pot roasts or a dish of baked root vegetables, rosemary says "welcome to my table" like no other herb.

Rosemary's Blessings

Including rosemary in our food and drinks keeps us healthy in a variety of ways (all information from the website facty.com):

• Gives hair a healthy shine by promoting circulation in the scalp.
• Infused in warm water, rosemary protects the skin from damage from the sun's rays and helps fights bacteria that causes acne. It is also an effective mouthwash and deodorant.
• Rosemary-infused tea may help reduce stress and anxiety, soothing the heart and mind at the end of the day.
• Can help boost concentration, focus, and overall brain function.
• Poultices may help ease inflammation and injury-related pain.
• Rich in Iron (Fe).
• Contains vitamin B6, which can help balance hormones and affect melatonin.
• May prevent or ease abdominal pains.
• May help prevent blood clots.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3-4 russet potatoes
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1/4 tspn salt
• 1 tspn ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut potatoes into bite-sized pieces and place them in a baking dish.
3. Pull rosemary leaves off stem, cut them into small pieces, and crush the pieces with a mortar and pestle to release flavor.
4. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the potatoes and rosemary to taste.
5. Toss all of the combined ingredients with olive oil, then spread them evenly across the surface of the dish.
6. Bake in oven for 30-45 minutes. Potato pieces are cooked when they are soft and are easily broken with a fork.
7. Remove dish from oven and let cool for 15 minutes or so.

Additional Nutrition Notes

Good News for Mothers

Rosemary may offer many important health benefits for expectant mothers. Iron, fiber, folic acid, and vitamin B6 are at the top. Others are calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Keeping mother relaxed and glowing, this herb boosts immunity and overall well-being, and gives baby a great nutritional in-utero head-start.

Herbal Zen

One of the primary nutritional benefits of rosemary is Vitamin B6. This vitamin soothes, relaxes and promotes feelings of happiness. It's the reason for Rosemary's reputation as a comfort food. A powerful ingredient in stress- and anxiety-reducing tea blends, rosemary is also an essential element in creating immunity-boosting "fire cider," which I love to make in all seasons. Though a temperamental plant to include in your herb garden, rosemary is worth the work required to keep her comfortable.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Karen A Szklany

Comments

Karen A Szklany (author) from New England on March 27, 2020:

Thank you, Peggy! Glad you were able to find a place where your Rosemary will thrive. Sometimes a finicky plant. Also glad you liked my roasted potato recipe. Hope you're staying well!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on March 27, 2020:

We grow rosemary in our garden. It took several tries to find the right spot for it, but it is now thriving. We enjoy the flavor and your roasted potato recipe is a winner!

Karen A Szklany (author) from New England on May 03, 2019:

Thank you, R Talloni! ~:0) Enjoy making the rosemary potatoes.

RTalloni on May 03, 2019:

When cooking with rosemary the house fills with yummy aroma that can't be resisted. Not a lot beats rosemary potatoes. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

Karen A Szklany (author) from New England on May 02, 2019:

Thank you, Eric! Glad you're a fan of Rosemary, too.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on May 02, 2019:

I liked this a lot. Thank you. Rosemary is cool.