Hyssop question!

[la cebolla grande]

I'm going to grow hyssop this year for the first time. I've got the tricolor mix which looks stunning, and will plant it round the edge of my comfrey bed on the allotment. I'm growing it mainly for the looks and for the bees - but does anyone have any suggestions for its use in cooking?? I'm a great fresh herb user, but have no experience of hyssop.

Thanks!!

La Cebolla Grande

[SimonCole]

Stuff it under the skin of chickens before you roast them.

[madderbat]

Bonsoir la Cebolla Grande

Your planting plan sounds great.
This is not an herb I've used in cooking; the Wikipedia entry says it can be added to soups, steps and salads but was mainly a strewing herb. Has a strong taste, so experiment with caution!

Welcome to the vine, make merry here

[Earthbabe]

Hyssop can be a great herb to use sparingly. Try it with the fattier meats, pork, goose (!) etc. It a great respiratory herb and useful for shifting catarrh to and good for the digestion.

I also add some to salads in the summer, often just the tips even with flowers, it looks pretty and adds a nice flavour that also goes well with things like lasagne, cheesy dishes etc.

[la cebolla grande]

Excellent - I'm prone to catarrh, so thats a good hint!

Once its grown (first hurdle), I'll give it a try, sparingly at first I guess!

[macci]

We grow it in our medieval herb garden for the medicinal purposes. So must have been good then, believe it was for respiritory illness as earthbabe suggests.

[Flummery]

I have it in my herb patch and use it when roasting beef. Just a sprig on the joint before wrapping in foil gives a great taste.

As to its legendary anti-mucous qualities, I use it crushed or chopped in a big bowl of boiling water, put a towel over my head and breathe the steam - clears your sinuses a treat.

[Snadger]

I too am trying Hyssop this year and look forward to growing and using it....watch this space!

[Herbaholic]

I use it for flavouring soups, it's good in salads, stuffings, and is lovely with fish and lamb. It also makes a rather good herb tea especially if you sweeten it with some borage honey