What is dried mixed herbs? glossary, uses, recipes

Dried herbs, as the name suggests are herbs that have been cleaned, sorted and dried in the sun. Dried herbs are more convenient and less expensive than fresh ones. However, one must remember that most herbs take on a different flavour after drying. Also, they have a more concentrated flavour than fresh herbs - 1 tsp dried herbs is equivalent to 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs.

Understanding Dried Mixed Herbs in India

Dried mixed herbs, while originating largely from Mediterranean and European cuisines, have found a firm and evolving place in the modern Indian kitchen. In the Indian context, "mixed herbs" generally refers to a convenient blend of several common aromatic leaves, most notably Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, and sometimes Marjoram or Parsley. This pre-blended mix offers a shortcut to achieving complex, savory, and slightly pungent flavors that are distinctly non-traditional but highly popular in contemporary Indian cooking, especially in fusion, snack, and fast-food preparations.

Availability and Affordability

The widespread appeal of dried mixed herbs in India stems from their easy availability and affordability. Thanks to the expansion of organized retail, supermarkets, and online grocery platforms, these blends are now stocked in every major city and increasingly in smaller towns. They are available from many national and international brands, often sold in small, tightly sealed bottles or economical refill sachets, making them a cheap and accessible seasoning choice. This low cost, coupled with a long shelf life, allows Indian households to experiment with global flavors without a significant investment.

Primary Uses in Modern Indian Cuisine

The primary use of dried mixed herbs in India is to instantly infuse a "Western" or Italian flavour profile into everyday dishes. They are rarely used in traditional curries but are indispensable for quick fusion meals. Their most common application is as a final seasoning for dishes like homemade pizzas, pastas, and garlic bread. They are also widely used to enhance the taste of simple preparations like scrambled eggs, seasoned French fries, or grilled sandwiches, providing a distinct, herbaceous note that Indian palates now readily associate with continental food.

Enhancing Indian Snacks and Fast Food

Beyond purely continental dishes, dried mixed herbs are extensively used to elevate popular Indian street food and homemade snacks. They are a staple ingredient in flavouring homemade versions of restaurant appetizers such as Chilli Paneer, various Tikkas, and even in marinades for grilled chicken or vegetables. A simple sprinkle over Masala Fries, cheesy garlic naan, or a quick vegetable sauté can transform the dish, showcasing how this blend has seamlessly been adapted to add a contemporary flair to comfort Indian food.

Recipe Name Examples in the Indian Context

The versatility of this seasoning is evident in the names of popular recipes found across Indian cooking blogs and channels. Examples include Cheesy Herb Paratha, Paneer Tikka Pizza, Mixed Herb Chilli Potato, Vegetable Aglio Olio (Indian Style), and Masala Macaroni. These names clearly illustrate the fusion where classic Indian ingredients (Paneer, Paratha, Masala) are paired with the convenience and flavor of dried mixed herbs, creating new favorites that cater to India’s diverse and evolving food landscape.

Why They Are Preferred

The preference for using a pre-mixed blend over individual herbs in Indian households boils down to convenience and consistency. Most Indian cooks do not stock individual dried herbs like Thyme or Basil, nor are these essential for everyday dal or sabzi. The dried mixed herb bottle offers a single, balanced flavourthat works reliably across multiple fusion dishes. This simplicity, combined with the blend's ability to introduce global taste easily, cements its position as a fast, effective, and cost-effective way to diversify the weekly menu in India.

How to Select dried mixed herbs

• Dried whole herbs, i.e., where the leaves are still attached to their stalk tend to be fresher and have a stronger flavour than loose leaves sold in packets/bottles. However, you might have to go to specialty stores to procure such whole herbs, as most stores stock only the loose leaves variety.

• When buying dried herbs, check the seal of the package and the use-by date.

• Choose a reliable brand to avoid contamination or adulteration with other ordinary leaves.

Culinary Uses of dried mixed herbs •Mixed herbs does wonders in baked dish, flavourful recipes to make your loved ones happy and works great for parties and gettogethers.

1.      Garlic Bread temptingly aromatic, Garlic Bread has the power to kindle your appetite, especially when served with a bowlful of hot soup or a pasta!

2.      Corn and Cheese Toast a filling snack that is an ideal choice when your kids come home hungry from school.

3.      Baked Vegetables in Low Calorie White Sauce an innovative cottage cheese sauce is a healthy substitute for high calorie white sauce in this popular baked dish.

4.      Baked Kidney Beans with Alfredo Sauce features tortillas packed with a fabulously peppy stuffing of kidney beans, chunky veggies and sauces, and laced with creamy Alfredo Sauce.

Mixed herbs is just right for boosting the flavour of pasta sauces, soups, stews, stuffing, breads, marinades, butter, salad dressings, stocks, vinegars, vinaigrettes, and even some desserts, drinks and confectionaries.

• Dried herbs are also suitable for use as a garnish. Mixed herbs work well with vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and aubergines.

• Mixed herbs combine well with pizza toppings too. • Mixed herbs can also be used to flavour omelettes and cheese dishes.

• When making foods like herbed butter, you might want to soften the dried herbs by soaking for a few hours in a suitable liquid.

• Sometimes it is better to crush the herbs before using in recipes to draw out their full flavour. You can do this by simply rubbing the dried herbs between your fingers and hands.

• If you find that low fat or low salt foods taste bland, you can use herbs to enhance their flavour.

• Generally, herbs are delicately flavoured, so add them to your cooking in the last few minutes.

How to Store dried mixed herbs

• Store dried mixed herbs in an airtight container, in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture as well.

• Dried herbs stay good for up to a year from when they were dried and packaged.

• To check for freshness, smell the herbs. If the aroma has gone, the flavour will have diminished too and the herbs should be discarded.

Health benefits of dried mixed herbs

• A jar of mixed herbs typically comprises basil, marjoram, oregano and thyme, each of which has high levels of healthy antioxidants.

• Most herbs, especially rosemary, sage, oregano, thyme have significant amounts of flavonoids, which can act as antioxidants to protect LDL cholesterol from being oxidised, inhibit the formation of blood clots, and provide anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour activity.

• Herbs are rich in vitamins, and in minerals, chlorophyll and natural antibiotics.

• Many herbs have valuable alkalising benefits.

• Herbs may also contain pain-relieving properties, aid in digestion, and strengthen the immune system.

• When using herbs for flavouring, we can reduce the need for salt, sugar and artificial flavourings, which will lead to great health benefits in the long run.