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Parsley
I spend hours in solitary confinement writing romantic historical fiction and reading historical nonfiction to research my novels. After long periods of physical inactivity work in my organic garden. where I grow delicious produce, provides fresh air and exercise.
Parsley is one of my favourite beneficial and tasty herbs. It provides essential minerals including iron and calcium and the vitamins A and C. This herb acts as a valuable carminative, tonic, aperient and diuretic and has many uses in the kitchen. It is difficult to grow from seed, but plants bought from a garden centre or supermarket thrive planted as an attractive border along a garden bed, in a herb bed or in containers. If it is not allowed to self-seed parsley produces abundantly and survives the winter
In times past herbs were depended on for culinary flavour and for their medicinal properties far more than they are today. I am as passionate about their use in an age when fast food is popular as I am about writing historical fiction.
Parsley is one of my favourite low maintenance herbs. It acts as a valuable carminative, tonic, aperient and diuretic.
During the First World War, after dysentery soldiers frequently suffered from kidney problems for which parsley tea proved useful. This herb has many medical uses and is particularly helpful for women. According to my research and practical it stimulates the appetite, helps digestion and elimination, soothes the nerves and helps with premenstrual tension and bloating. Taken every day it is useful during the menopause.
Some Vegetarian Egg Free Recipes
Souper A La Bonne Femme
To promote women’s good health.
3 tablespoons butter.
6 tablespoons flour
1pint/600 ml full fat cow’s milk.
1 vegetable soup stock cube
Half cup single cream
100 grams/four ounces finely chopped parsley leaves.
Melt the butter stir in the flour. Slowly add and stir in the milk and water. Add the soup stock cube. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat. Add the cream and simmer the soup gently without it coming to the boil until it thickens. Before serving add the parsley, and salt and pepper if needed. Serve at once.
Parsley Sandwiches
Sliced wholemeal bread
Butter
Cream cheese
Finely chopped parsley leaves
Sea salt or table salt
Black pepper
Spread half the slices with butter and the other half with cream cheese. Sprinkle the cream cheese with parsley, salt and black pepper on the other half of the slices. Cover them with the buttered slices, Cut the sandwiches into quarters and serve
Parsley Butter
3 ounces/75 grams of butter.
3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sea salt or table salt and black pepper
Use cool, firm butter not taken straight out of the refrigerator. Mix the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Chill the parsley butter until it is firm.
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Author’s Note. There are many recipes for parsley e.g. parsley dumplings, parsley tonic, fried parsley etc., to enjoy.
Novels by Rosemary Morris
Early 18th Century novels: Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies, The Captain and The Countess
Regency Novels False Pretences, Sunday’s Child, Monday’s Child, Tuesday’s Child, Wednesday’s Child and Thursday’s Child. Friday’s Child to be published this month.
Mediaeval Novel Yvonne Lady of Cassio. The Lovages of Cassio Book One
www.rosemarymorris.co.uk
http://bookswelove.net/authors/morris-rosemary
