Question

What can I do with lots (4 plants/ bunches) of "regular" curly-leaf parley? All the recipes I found call for flat parsley.

Answer 1

While most recipes might call for flat-leaf parsley, curly-leaf parsley is still a versatile herb that can be used in various dishes. Here are some ideas for using your abundant supply of curly-leaf parsley:

1. Herb Garnish: Use the curly-leaf parsley as a garnish for soups, stews, salads, pasta dishes, or even grilled meats. The vibrant green color and fresh flavor will add a lovely touch to your dishes.

2. Chimichurri Sauce: While traditional chimichurri sauce is made with flat-leaf parsley, you can use curly-leaf parsley instead. Blend it with garlic, red pepper flakes, vinegar, olive oil, and some other herbs like oregano. This sauce is excellent with grilled meats, seafood, or roasted vegetables.

3. Pesto: Create a parsley pesto by blending the curly-leaf parsley with garlic, pine nuts or walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It's a tasty alternative to the classic basil pesto and works well with pasta or as a spread.

4. Herb Butter: Make a parsley-infused herb butter by mixing chopped curly-leaf parsley with softened butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use it on grilled steaks, fish, or spread it on warm bread.

5. Rice and Grain Dishes: Add finely chopped curly-leaf parsley to rice, couscous, quinoa, or other grain-based dishes to enhance their flavor and add a pop of color.

6. Salad Dressing: Blend curly-leaf parsley with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create a zesty salad dressing.

7. Tabouli: Though traditional tabouli calls for bulgur and flat-leaf parsley, you can try making a variation with couscous or quinoa and curly-leaf parsley. Mix it with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lemon juice, and olive oil for a refreshing salad.

8. Herb Omelet: Add chopped curly-leaf parsley to your omelets or scrambled eggs to give them a fresh and herbaceous flavor.

Remember that curly-leaf parsley has a slightly stronger taste compared to flat-leaf parsley, so you may want to use it in slightly smaller quantities. Enjoy experimenting with this herb in different recipes, and you might discover some new favorites!