Choose the Right Spot: Place your herbs in a sunny location, ideally one that gets 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
Water Wisely: Most herbs prefer soil that’s moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and be careful not to let pots sit in standing water.
Use the Right Soil: Choose well-draining potting soil, and consider mixing in compost for added nutrients.
Prune Regularly: Regularly trim your herbs to encourage healthy growth and prevent them from becoming woody. Always cut just above a set of leaves.
Harvest Smartly: Pick leaves in the morning when their essential oils are most concentrated for maximum flavor. Avoid taking more than one-third of the plant at a time to keep it thriving.
Try Companion Planting: Pair complementary herbs like basil and parsley together, but give aggressive growers like mint and rosemary their own pot to avoid overcrowding.
15-Minute Herb Garlic Tortellini
This quick and easy spring meal feels gourmet thanks to the addition of fresh herbs.
Ingredients
4 cloves garlic
2 (9-ounce) packages fresh cheese tortellini
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 medium lemon
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh herbs, like parsley, basil and oregano, or get adventurous with thyme, chives or dill
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, mince 4 garlic cloves.
2. Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute. Remove from the heat, squeeze in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
3. When the pasta is ready, drain in a colander. Add the tortellini to the sauce along with the chopped herbs, and toss to coat. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
Recipe courtesy of TheKitchn.com