The New American Herbal by Stephen Orr - A Random House Book Review

I have begun to really enjoy a more natural diet (with a McDonald's visit down to only twice a month), and while I still don't fully enjoy cooking, (or cleaning up), I do enjoy trying new recipes.  I also enjoy gardening and preserving, so my herb garden fulfills all my fun hobbies.  So choosing my next book to review for Blogging For Books was fairly easy...

The New American Herbal by Stephen Orr is published by Random House and is a HUGH and BEAUTIFUL reference book on most every herb you can find growing in The United States.  The good, the bad, and the "ugly". lol

The first section of this book explains how to recognize, grow, harvest, and preserve different types of herbs, then the major portion of the book lists ALL the herbs in alphabetical order, so if you are wondering about what herbs to grow for your needs, you can find all the information here.
 And the photos are absolutely gorgeous!!!
This is definitely a coffee table book that will be used often in real life, not just moved around and dusted.

STEPHEN ORR is the author of Tomorrow’s Garden and the former Editorial Director for Gardening for Martha Stewart Living. Previously he was the garden editor for House & Garden magazine and has written extensively for Domino, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He has been a regularly featured gardening expert on The CBS Early Show and Today, and lectures at garden clubs around the country. Orr writes about extraordinary gardens on his blog, What the Skies Were Like.

This only thing I would have loved that was missing from this book is a section of recipes.  Fresh herbs just make your food explode with flavor, but since I'm not a "chef" I am not always sure what herbs to use when I cook.  Other than that I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a tastier and healthier lifestyle.
Tell me, do you use fresh herbs? Or store bought dried herbs?
Be blessed,
Debbi

 "I received this free book from Blogging for Books for this review,
 and the opinion is my own."

Tuna and Peas on Toast...otherwise know as...

I have some requests on my last blog post for the recipe for this...

My Mom used to call it S**t on a Shingle, but I prefer

Tuna and Peas on Toast.

You start with a white sauce, I use the one in the back of my trusty Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.  Yeah, it was new way back in the 1950's when my Mom first got it, and I "borrowed" it from her when I got married in the late 70's.  So here it is...

White Sauce

medium (1 cup)

2 tbs butter

2 tbs all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup milk

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat.  Blend in flour and salt, and dash white pepper (I use black).  Add milk all at once.  Cook quickly, stirring constantly, till mixture thickens and bubbles.

The I just add a package of tuna (no water) and a can of peas (drained).

Heat through and serve over toast.

Yum Yum!

Simple, easy, and very cheap...I mean...inexpensive.  :0)

Enjoy!

Be blessed,

Debbi