If not every our mistress knows about oregano, then oregano grass is undoubtedly known to all of us. And these are the names of the same plant. Today it is distributed almost everywhere in Europe, and the warm Mediterranean is considered the birthplace of oregano.
Oregano is ordinary, as we call this plant, it has a strong aroma and a pronounced warm, sharp, slightly bitter taste. This makes her an indispensable culinary assistant in the preparation of various dishes. They know perfectly well what oregano is, cooks of almost all world cuisines. But in every country this seasoning is used in the preparation of various dishes.
So, for example, in Italy it is necessarily added to omelets. And one of the most popular national dishes of this country is baked potatoes with tomatoes seasoned with this herb and olive oil. And, of course, rarely what kind of pizza in Italy does without this seasoning. In Belgium and France, they must put it in all mushroom dishes. They know what oregano is, and in the Caucasus. Here, this herb is an indispensable companion of canned mushrooms and cucumbers. Siberians love to add oregano to the filling of pies. It does not matter what it is based on - meat, cottage cheese, eggs or vegetables.
It should be noted that in cooking, dry oregano is most often used, and you can prepare such a seasoning yourself. To do this, during flowering, the plant is torn off and separated from the stems. Petals are dried in a well-ventilated area, and stored in a dark place under a hermetically sealed lid. However, it should be noted that if oregano can retain the taste qualities until the next harvest, then this plant loses its healing properties after two months of storage in dried form.
The ancient Greeks knew about the positive effect of this herb on the human body. It was they who noted that oregano is a seasoning whose use has a positive effect on digestion. After which there was a tradition of adding this weed to fatty and spicy dishes. In addition, among the useful properties of this seasoning, it should be noted its ability to calm the human nervous system. Therefore, folk healers, who use it to treat neurosis and depressive conditions, are well aware of what oregano is. True, this plant has contraindications. It can not be eaten by pregnant women, since you can increase the likelihood of a miscarriage.
Official medicine is also very supportive of oregano. In pharmacies, the essential oil of this plant is sold, which doctors recommend using for headaches or to calm the nervous system.
Many experts believe that all the beneficial properties of oregano are lost at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, if you want to not only emphasize the exquisite taste of the dish with the help of this seasoning, but also use its healing qualities, add this herb to the food at the end of cooking so that it does not lose its strength.
Bon appetit and be healthy!