GOODNESS
Parsley: This refreshing herb is good for your breath and is apparently refreshing to the rest of your body. Like all green herbs, it is loaded with chlorophyll, which is just good for people. It helps you build tissue and fight inflammation. It has even been shown to help manage blood sugars and helps to keep your weight in check. More studies are needed, but it may even help to fight cancer. All that, and a breath freshener too? Who could ask for more?

Rosemary: This piney herb adds great flavor to many meats, but the surprise is how good it is for you. It has anti-inflammatory chemicals, making it useful in the treatment of liver and heart disease as well as asthma. It seems to have some potent anti-tumor properties and has been researched for its use against breast, colon and skin cancer. Although still being researched, it may be a useful tonic for the brain and has been used since ancient times as a memory enhancer. Although it is just fine in foods, you should avoid strong tinctures of rosemary if you are pregnant.

Sage: This delightful herb is a key player in some terrific recipes, but it is also a great purifier, fighting both bacteria and viruses. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and is used by many to ease the symptoms of arthritis. It also helps to lower blood pressure and control blood sugar. Like rosemary, it has been used since ancient times as a memory enhancer. Although it is just fine in foods, you should avoid excessive quantities of sage if you are pregnant.

Thyme: This aromatic herb has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and contains thymol, a well-known antiseptic (you might be gargling with it). It's good for the digestion and is supposed to have some aphrodisiac qualities, although that just may be be due to the well-known connection between love and good food.
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Recipe

Herbed Lamb with Mint Shallot Sauce and Rutabaga Puree

serves
prep time: 10
cook time: 129

ingredients

  • 1 6- to 7 pounds leg of lamb
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • Fresh mint sprigs
  • Fresh parsley sprigs
  • Rutabaga Puree

directions

Lamb:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Trim excess fat from lamb. Using sharp knife, score 0.25 inch-deep crosshatch pattern all over top of lamb. Rub lamb with vegetable oil. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Mix parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and tarragon in small bowl. Rub herb mixture all over lamb, pressing firmly to adhere. Place lamb in large roasting pan. Roast until thermometer inserted into lamb registers 155 degrees, about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Remove lamb from oven and let stand 15 minutes. Pour pan juices into glass measuring cup, degrease pan juices. Mix butter and flour in small bowl. Combine shallots and wine in heavy small saucepan. Boil until most of liquid evaporates, about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and boil 2 minutes. Whisk in flour mixture and chopped fresh mint. Boil until thickened to sauce consistency, whisking occasionally, about 5 minutes. Whisk in any degreased lamb juices. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Place lamb on platter. Surround with mint and parsley sprigs. Serve lamb with sauce and Rutabaga Puree.