Rosemary in full bloom

I’m a lucky fella, and I’ve just got to tell her
That I love her endlessly
Because love grows where my Rosemary goes
And nobody knows like me-  Edison Lighthouse

If you love rosemary the way Edison Lighthouse does, we understand. They were talking about the herb right? This perennial evergreen, a member of the mint family, is one of those gifts that keeps on giving throughout the year, it’s aromatic leaves appearing in foods both savoury and sweet. And this summer’s hot dry conditions are perfect for rosemary; native to the Mediterranean, it thrives in these conditions, growing into a full, bushy shrub reaching a height of over six feet. It is lovely to look at too, making a wonderful addition to your summer gardens, its unmistakable scent noticeable when you walk by. Though it won’t survive our cold winters outdoors, Sarah Battersby tells us how to keep it thriving during the winter, making this wonderful plant an herb for all seasons.

Rosemary has been used in the culinary world for eons, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, enriching sauces and stews, stuffed with bread into all manner of animal cavities and used as skewers for chicken , lamb, shrimp and scallops. In traditional medicine rosemary has been used to stimulate memory, hair growth, and, applied topically it relieves muscle pains. Rosemary’s essential oil, found in the needle-like leaves and tiny blue flowers is high in antioxidants and possesses antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, a sprig of rosemary steeped in hot water makes a lovely tart tea that is both soothing and stimulating.

Rosemary is a wonderful healing herb. Here are the major benefits from rosemary: •Rosemary increases blood circulation •Rosemary is used to reduce fevers •Rosemary stimulates the liver •Rosemary stimulates digestion •Rosemary supports and strengthens blood vessels •Rosemary stimulates the memory •Rosemary can relieve headaches •Rosemary is an anti oxidant •Rosemary is an anti inflammatory •Rosemary contains Vitamin E •Rosemary can irradicate free radicals- food.com 

 But for us, this summer, the rosemary recipe that we are really excited to try is for Maple Rosemary Ice Cream, a sophisticated little number that combines two of our favourite ingredients. It might not have the wow factor for the kiddies-stick to Rocky Road for that-but for the adults in the group, a small dish of this on a sultry summer night sounds like heaven. We’ll let you know how it turns out!