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| Dill Flower Click on photos to view larger |
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| Freshly Picked Dill |
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a green herb with wiry, thread-like leaves that grow in clusters. It has a distinctive taste that is like a combination of fennel, anise and celery, with warm, slightly bitter undertones. It is a native of Southern Europe and Western Asia. Although the origin of the name dill is debatable, it is believed to have originated from the Norse word "dilla", or Anglo Saxon "dylle", meaning "to lull or soothe". It is an ancient herb that was listed by the Egyptians as an herb 5,000 years ago. In the Bible it was so prized that it was listed in the Gospel of St. Matthew, as an herb suitable of payment for taxes, along with mint and cumin. During the Middle Ages dill was woven into garlands and worn around the neck to ward off witches and their spells. Dill was a traditional remedy for stomach aches, gas and colic in babies and children. It has been a popular remedy for upset stomach, hiccups and insomnia. The fresh herb is known for its ability to improve appetite and digestion.
Dill is wonderful in many recipes, and is widely eaten all over the world. While not as readily used in American cooking, it is a traditional favorite in Greek, Russian, Lebanese, Scandinavian, and Syrian recipes. Sprinkle on steamed vegetables, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, in mixed green salads and dressings, in sauces and, most deliciously, over grilled or poached salmon and other fish. You will notice butterflies in your garden if you grow your own dill, they love the nectar from the delicate yellow flowers (see photo above).
You can even harvest the pungent seed heads to season soups and pickles. Dill seeds can be toasted, fried, or cooked in broths. You don't have to grind them because their high surface area allows them to plump up and become tender very quickly. They are perfect for covering up funky, undesirable flavors in gamey meats or sulfurous cabbages. This is an Old World spice just waiting for some New World applications. Dill seeds are high in calcium (a single tablespoon contains more than eight ounces of milk).
Keep fresh dill leaves (dill weed) refrigerated in a dry plastic bag. Like many other fresh herbs, dill loses flavor with too much heat. Add in the last five minutes or less of cooking. Here are a lot of examples of how you can use DILL-icious Dill:
Tomato Dill Soup with Chopped Egg
Ingredients:
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 large tomatoes, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch pepper
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups water, divided
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
1 to 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh dill or 1 to 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
4 hard cooked eggs, quartered
4 sprigs of fresh dill for garnish
Procedure:
In a large saucepan saute onion and garlic in oil and butter until tender. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper; cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in tomato paste. In a small bowl, combine flour and 1/2 cup of water; stir until smooth. Stir into saucepan. Gradually stir in remaining water until smooth; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Place mixture in a sieve over a large bowl. With the back of a spoon, press vegetables through the sieve to remove seeds and skin; return puree to pan. Add cream and dill; cook over low heat just until heated through (do not boil). Garnish with chopped hard cooked eggs and fresh dill sprigs. Makes 4 servings (1 quart).
Potato and Cabbage Soup with Dill
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups onions; small dice
1 1/2 cups celery; small dice
1 1/2 cups carrots; small dice
4 teaspoons canola oil
1 tablespoon garlic; minced
4 cups cabbage; diced
2-3 cups potatoes; peeled and 1/2-inch dice
salt & pepper; to taste
8 cups vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs thyme
1/2 cup dill pickles; minced
1/2 cup dill pickle brine
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2 tablespoons fresh dill; minced
1/2 cup dry potato flakes; optional
Procedure:
Saute the onions celery, and carrots in the oil over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the garlic, potatoes, cabbage, salt and pepper. Continue to saute for another 10 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes (or until the potatoes are tender). Stir in the dry potato flakes to thicken the soup. Season to taste. Pour soup into bowls and garnish with chopped dill. Makes 10 servings.
Dill-Onion Rolls
Ingredients:
1 cupwarm water
4 tablespoons sugar
1 package dry yeast
1 beaten egg
4 tablespoons conola oil
3 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup or more of minced onion
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
Procedure:
Pour the water into large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and let dissolve. Add the yeast and let dissolve. Beat in the egg and vegetable oil. Add the minced onion and dill and mix well with wooden spoon. Add the flour and salt, and mix with large wooden spoon until the dough is elastic and smooth. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour. Drop the dough into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup half full. Cover the muffin tin, and let rise again until doubled. Beat an egg, and lightly use pastry brush on top of each roll.. Not too much egg. Bake in at 375˚F oven betwen 15-20 minutes, until golden. Makes 12 servings.
Make Your Own
Refrigerator Sliced Dill Pickles
Ingredients:
3-1/2 cups water
1-1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon canning salt* (NOT table salt)
1 tablespoon sugar
cucumbers (not waxed but fresh), unpeeled, sliced into 1/4 inch disks (about 4 cups)
2 cloves garlic (whole)
1 small bunch fresh dill, chopped, about 1 cup or so
*Most supermarkets that carries pickling supplies/jars should carry canning (or pickling) salt. It may be seasonal. You could also substitute with Kosher salt or sea salt. (Kosher salt is not as dense as pickling salt so you'll need to use more.)
Note: You don't want to use regular cucumbers that have been waxed. Use FRESH pickling cucumbers. Here on Moloka'i we can't get pickling cucumbers, so I use Japanese cucumbers, they are crisper than regular cucumbers and work fine.
Procedure:
Boil the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Cool. Add cucumbers, garlic, and dill in a plastic or glass bowl (not metal!). Cover with the cooled liquid. Put in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The pickles should be good for 6 weeks. Makes 4 cups.
Tuna Salad with Dill
Ingredients:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sour cream
2 to 4 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons dill weed
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
1/8 teaspoon pepper
dash cayenne pepper
1 can (6 ounces) light water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
2 cups fresh baby spinach
5 slices tomato, halved
Procedure:
In a small bowl, whisk the first eight ingredients. Stir in tuna and onion. Serve over spinach. Garnish with tomato slices. Makes 2 servings.
Lemon Avocado Mustard Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and mashed
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Ingredients:
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and mashed
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon honey
Salad greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and sweet red and yellow pepper strips
Procedure:
In a blender, combine the first ten ingredients; cover and process until blended. Serve with salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Store in the refrigerator. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Procedure:
In a blender, combine the first ten ingredients; cover and process until blended. Serve with salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Store in the refrigerator. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
The NEW Classic Iceberg Wedge Salad
with Chunky Blue Cheese/Dill Dressing
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| The NEW Classic Iceberg Wedge Salad Click on image to view larger |
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 2 tablespoons of dried dill
1 cup (4 ounces) good blue cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon fresh chives, or scallions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
Iceberg lettuce, quartered
Cherry Tomatoes cut in half, for garnish
Procedure:
In a small mixing bowl, combine milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and dill. Add half the blue cheese and mix together, using the backside of a spoon to mash the blue cheese into the mixture. Some chunks of blue cheese should remain. Add the chives, or scallions, and season with salt and pepper, stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Cut the cold iceberg lettuce into quarters. Place a wedge of the lettuce in the center of the cold plate and generously spoon the chunky blue cheese dressing over the wedge of lettuce, sprinkled with the other half of the crumbled blue cheese and the cherry tomato halves. Serve with a cold knife and fork. Makes about 1 1/2 cups of dressing, enough for 4 salads.
Note: If you like the dressing a little thinner, simply add a little more milk and stir.
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 2 tablespoons of dried dill
1 cup (4 ounces) good blue cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon fresh chives, or scallions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
Iceberg lettuce, quartered
Cherry Tomatoes cut in half, for garnish
Procedure:
In a small mixing bowl, combine milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, and dill. Add half the blue cheese and mix together, using the backside of a spoon to mash the blue cheese into the mixture. Some chunks of blue cheese should remain. Add the chives, or scallions, and season with salt and pepper, stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Cut the cold iceberg lettuce into quarters. Place a wedge of the lettuce in the center of the cold plate and generously spoon the chunky blue cheese dressing over the wedge of lettuce, sprinkled with the other half of the crumbled blue cheese and the cherry tomato halves. Serve with a cold knife and fork. Makes about 1 1/2 cups of dressing, enough for 4 salads.
Note: If you like the dressing a little thinner, simply add a little more milk and stir.
Cucumber Salad Dressing with Dill
Ingredients:
12 ounces thinly sliced cucumbers, peeled and seeded before slicing
1/4 cup lemon juice
8 ounces sour cream
3 tablespoons minced dill
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste
hot sauce, optional
Procedure:
Puree the cucumbers in a food processor or blender. Add the remaining ingredients and blend just until incorporated. Adjust the seasoning with sugar, salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later. Serve over sliced tomatoes garnished with dill. Also great with poached salmon. Makes 2 cups.
Lemon-Dill Green Beans
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill
1/4 teaspoon salt
Procedure:
Place beans in a steamer basket; place in a large saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, oil, dill and salt; shake well. Transfer beans to a serving dish; add dressing and toss to coat. Makes 6 servings.
Buttered Radishes with Dill
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
3 bunches red radishes (about 25), washed and trimmed (usually available at Kumu Farms on Moloka'i)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh dill
black pepper to taste.
Procedure:
Melt the butter in a medium-size skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Add radishes and toss to coat with the butter. Cover the pan and cook for 4 minutes, shaking occasionally. Add the sugar and vinegar and toss over mediom heat for 1 minute. Sprinkle with dill and season to taste with pepper. Serve immediately. Makes six servings.
Red Buttered Potatoes with Dill
Ingredients:
2 pounds small red potatoes
salt
1 bunch of fresh dill (stems removed and tops chopped)
2 tablespoons butter
black pepper to taste
Procedure:
Put scrubbed potatoes in a pot with water to just cover. Add salt and the stems from the bunch of dill. Bring the water to boil with the lid on. Lower the heat and boil for 5-7 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through. Pour off the water and dill stems. Add the butter and chopped dill leaves, toss and serve with black pepper. Makes 4 servings.
Lemon Dill Rice with Mustard Seeds
Ingredients:
2 cups long grain cooked rice (make sure it is fluffy and grains are separated)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2-3/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill leaves (stems removed)
1 green chili (finely chopped)
3/4 cup edamame (frozen soy beans) or lima beans
2-3 garlic pods (grated)
juice of a lemon
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
salt
oil
Procedure:
Boil the soy beans or lima beans separately in little water and salt for about 8 minutes. Drain the water and set the beans aside. Take a big plate and spread out the cooked rice making sure there are no lumps. Add turmeric, chopped dill leaves, a little oil, mix well and set aside. Note: This step is important, mixing the dill to the rice and then adding the combination to the cooked onions. Adding dill directly to heat, removes its flavor. Hence it is best to combine with rice and cook it as this retains its texture and imparts good flavor to the rice. Take a heavy bottom pan or wok, add a little oil on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let it splutter, add the grated garlic and stir until it turns light brown. Now add the green chili and the chopped onions and fry until it gets transparent. Add the rice mixture and stir it thoroughly. Cover with lid and let it sit for a 5 minutes. Finally add the juice of a lemon. Mix well. Serve hot. Note: Make sure to add the lemon juice when the prepared rice has cooled down a little, or else it tends to add sourness to the rice. Makes 4 servings.
Steak Pita Pockets with Dill Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients:
2 pounds top sirloin steak, grilled medium rare, and sliced thin
8 pita bread halves
2 tomatoes, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
lettuce leaves, chopped
Yogurt Dill Sauce Ingredients:
2 cups (16 ounces) plain yogurt
3 green onions, minced
3 tablespoon fresh dill weed
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Procedure:
Grill top sirloin until it is medium rare. Combine sauce ingredients. Heat pita bread in a 300˚F oven for 5 minutes. Cut pita bread in half with a bread knife, and carefully open each without tearing the bread. Stuff pita halves with thinly sliced steak, tomato, onion and lettuce. Spoon sauce into pitas. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings of two steak pita pockets each.
Beef Rouladen with Dill Dumplings
I have been eating this dish since I was a small child. My father owned a hotel that had a German chef. He made this hearty dill pickle dish that I have been enjoying for years.
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| Thinly sliced beef with a light coating of Dijon mustard, topped with a slice of bacon and dill pickles. Click on photo to view larger. |
Ingredients:
2 large onions, sliced
4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
6 bacon strips
6 beef top round steaks or beef sirloin steaks (1/4 pound each)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
6 dill pickle spears
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/3 cups water
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Ingredients for Dill Dumplings:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional)
Procedure:
In a large skillet, saute onions in 2 tablespoons of oil until tender; remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Pound steaks to 1/4-in. thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread with mustard and top with onions. Place a pickle at one short end and a bacon strip lengthwise on top. Roll up jelly-roll style; secure with toothpicks. Set aside 1 tablespoon flour for thickening. Coat the roll-ups with remaining flour. In the same skillet, cook roll-ups in remaining oil over medium heat until browned on all sides. Add the water, bouillon, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until meat is tender. Discard bay leaf and toothpicks. Remove roll-ups and keep warm on a platter covered with foil. Combine butter and reserved flour; add to the pan juices if you want the gravy to be thicker. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
Meanwhile, prepare your Dill Dumplings: Briskly mix together 2 eggs and 1 cup milk. Gradually add 3 cups flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill. The dumpling batter will be very soft and sticky.
By now the broth should have thickened; drop dumpling batter in heaping tablespoons into boiling sauce. Cook for five minutes, then turn each dumpling over with a spoon and allow to cook an additional 5 minutes. Remove dumplings to platter with roulades and serve with cooked carrots; either pour remaining sauce over roulades and carrots or serve alongside in a gravy boat. Makes 6 servings.
Linguini with Smoked Salmon and Dill
Ingredients:
6 ounces linguini pasta
1 cup half-n-half
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons capers, drained
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
4 ounces smoked salmon, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
Procedure:
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well; return to same pot. Combine half-n-half, dill, onions, capers, and lemon peel in heavy small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add sauce to pasta; toss to coat. Add salmon and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Makes 2 servings.
Sweet White Shrimp with Dill
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds white shrimp, shells left on
3 cloves garlic, course chopped
1/4 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cups of white wine
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 pinch sea salt
1 pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 lemon, squeezed
Procedure:
In a large skillet or wok, add olive oil with garlic and onion and wine on medium heat for about 5 minutes! add the rest of the ingrediants! stir every 30 seconds until done. Serve with hush puppies and pickled okra on the side. Makes 4 servings.
Baked Mahi-mahi with Dill Sauce
Ingredients:
2 mahi-mahi steaks
1 tablespoon canola Oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon Juice
salt
white pepper
Dill Sauce Ingredients:
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced, or 1 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
salt and pepper; to taste
Procedure:
Combine sour cream, yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, and hot sauce. Stir in dill then add salt and pepper to taste. Blend well. Allow to stand at least 1/2 hour to blend flavors. Pat mahi-mahi steaks dry with paper towels. Combine oil and lemon juice and brush on both sides of steaks. Season lightly with salt and white pepper. Place an inch apart in a lightly oiled baking dish. Bake at 450˚F for approximately 15 minutes. Serve mahi-mahi steaks with dill sauce over steaks sprinkled with a dash of fresh dill atop each. Makes 2 servings.
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