Oregano (Oríganumvulgáre, lat.) Or common oregano is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Dusice of the family Lumiaceae.
This unpretentious plant is widespread in the Mediterranean and many other countries of Europe and the Middle East. In Russia, oregano grows everywhere (except in the Far North): on open grassy places, on hillsides, on fringes, glades, among bushes. In many countries, oregano is cultivated. Of course, the wild and cultivated plant will differ in taste, aroma and properties.
This herb contains many necessary substances for the body, and therefore widely used in medicine. Oregano has many useful properties, including anti-inflammatory, restorative, antioxidant, antihistamine, soothing, antibiotic and others. Also, oregano is widely used in the perfume and cosmetics industry. The taste of oregano is very characteristic, slightly bitter, not too spicy, the aroma is light and pleasant.
Naturally, oregano and in cooking is widely used as a spice. The leaves are used both fresh and dried. This spice stimulates appetite and improves digestion.
It is important to know exactly where oregano is added, so as not to spoil the taste of the dish. This seasoning is widely used in many culinary traditions, it blends well with a lot of other spices, especially with black pepper, rosemary, basil, marjoram, tarragon, thyme.
Oregano, as a seasoning is a part of various spicy mixtures for cooking dishes from meat, home-made sausages , omelettes, pates and fillings. Oregano dried is added to some sauces and gravies. In some regions of Italy, spices of oregano are used in the preparation of pizza. In many countries of Europe it is customary to add dry oregano to dishes made of champignons (and some other mushrooms) - with this seasoning they acquire a particularly delicate, piquantly-island taste and characteristic aroma.
In the Caucasus, Ukraine and Belarus, oregano is added to pickles and marinades when preparing pickles from mushrooms and vegetables (for example, cucumbers). In Siberia, the seasoning of oregano is added to curd, egg or meat stuffing for pies.
In Russia, oregano is traditionally used for brewing herbal tea. Such tea is widely used in folk medicine for various ailments, for health promotion and simply for pleasure.
Oregano seasoning should not be stored for too long - it loses its useful properties, flavor and aromatic qualities. It is better to store dry oregano in a tightly closed non-plastic container, without direct access to the sun's rays.
Recipes with oregano
Russian tea from oregano (it's oregano)
Ingredients:
- dry crushed oregano - 2-3 teaspoons;
- steep boiling water - 250-300 ml;
- honey natural - 1 tsp.
Preparation
Dry grass fall asleep in a teapot or other suitable container. Fill with steep boiling water, cover with a lid (or saucer) and let it brew for 30-40 minutes. Filter and add honey. Stirring. We consume 100 ml before going to bed.
Therapeutic tea from oregano and lemon balm
Ingredients:
- dry oregano - 3 teaspoons;
- Melissa dry - 2 tsp.
- water - 500 ml;
- honey natural and cream - to taste.
Preparation
Grasses fall asleep in the teapot.
Teas from oregano (it's oregano) is better for eating at night, this is a wonderful sleeping pills and soothing. Such teas should not be carried away by men - they do not contribute to male power. Pregnant women - it is not recommended to use this seasoning in any form.
With exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and heart disorders, the use of oregano should be excluded or limited.