Put the Joy Back into Cooking this Thanksgiving

September 2004 -- Cooking during the holidays can be stressful and overwhelming, but with the ease and convenience of Gourmet Garden’s line of fresh tasting herbs, anyone can enjoy cooking a Thanksgiving feast. Gourmet Garden has pioneered a new concept for cooking, providing the opportunity for holiday chefs to cook with fresh tasting herbs and spices that are both long lasting and convenient.

Through a new patented Australian technology, Gourmet Garden captures the aromas, colors and flavors of fresh, sun-ripe herbs in a convenient format. The herbs come in a squeezable tube that lasts up to three months in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer, providing fresh herb flavor. By providing the ease and convenience of dried herbs with the robust flavor of fresh herbs, holiday cooking can be a fun and flavorful event!

“Gourmet Garden offers the first and only line of herbs and spices that are fresh tasting, long-lasting and convenient,” says Craig Agnew, General Manager of Gourmet Garden. “With holiday cooking around the corner, any recipe can benefit from the great taste of fresh herbs and spices—providing the convenience and flavor you and your guests will enjoy!”

This holiday season, enjoy dishes like Easy Herb Roasted Turkey, Orange & Ginger Glazed Yams, Roast Ginger Glazed Pears, and savory Cranberry Sauce with the taste and convenience of Gourmet Garden.

“Consumers can access more Gourmet Garden holiday recipes at www.gourmetgarden.com,” Craig says. “With Gourmet Garden, holiday recipes are fun and easy, providing gourmet flavor at your finger tips.”

Gourmet Garden provides the best way to get fresh, gourmet flavor, avoiding the waste often associated with fresh herbs. Because of the no mess plastic tube, which also controls portions, anyone can enjoy the taste and health benefits of fresh herbs without worrying about preparation or wastage. Because you use only the amount you need, there’s no waste, and you can store the package right in the fridge or freezer until the next time you need it. Gourmet Garden makes all your favorite herbs available year-round, at the height of growing-season freshness and flavor.

“Whether you use a lot or a little, Gourmet Garden is a great way to add flavor to the Thanksgiving dinner. That’s what makes Gourmet Garden herbs so perfect, because they give you total control over herb portion size and flavor intensity . . . and the ease of providing quality taste without the time or hassle,” says Craig.

Gourmet Garden, already a big hit in Australia and England, is now available in the United States. Found in the fresh produce section of your neighborhood grocery store, it is available in six flavors, including Garlic, Basil, Chili, Cilantro, Ginger and Lemongrass. They come in 4-ounce clear tube packages and retail for $3.99 each.

Gourmet Garden herbs and spices are used in more than just recipes; they are also popular as a sauce or condiment. “You can squeeze lemongrass or garlic right into your mashed potatoes for added flavor,” he suggests, “with different herb portions for each person. I like to mix it into my sauces, even adding a little basil to my gravy for a more robust flavor. For anyone hosting a Thanksgiving dinner—with many guests and many different preferences—Gourmet Garden is a lifesaver.”

More product information can be found on the Gourmet Garden website, www.gourmetgarden.com

Gourmet Garden Recipes

Easy Herb Roasted Turkey
Serves 16

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Clean and truss a 12 lb turkey and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Pat dry with paper towels. Melt 4 oz butter and brush about half of it over the turkey. Bake for 40 minutes.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Pour 2 cups water into roasting pan. Cover breast and wing tips loosely with a tent of foil. Bake, adding more water to pan and basting occasionally with pan juices, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh measures 180°F.
3. About 1 hour before end of cooking, combine remaining melted butter with 2 tablespoons Gourmet Garden Basil, 1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Garlic and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Brush mixture over bird and continue to baste frequently until bird is done. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving. Serve with Basil & Ginger Glazed Pears and Savory Cranberry Sauce.
4. Enjoy!

Orange and Ginger Glazed Yams
Serves 8

1. Cook 4 lb medium sweet potatoes or yams in a large saucepan of boiling water, covered, until just tender when pierced, about 30 minutes. Drain, cool and remove skins.
2. Cut potatoes into chunks or slices and arrange in a buttered baking dish.
3. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup strained fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Ginger and 1 oz butter. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes more or until clear. Pour glaze over potatoes.
4. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven, basting potatoes frequently with the syrup, until tender and well-glazed. Enjoy!

Roast Ginger Glazed Pears
Serves 8

1. Halve 4 small, firm-ripe pears, leaving stems attached, and use a melon baller to remove cores.
2. Melt 2 oz butter in a large skillet over low heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Basil, 1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Ginger, 3 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons mild honey until combined.
3. Add pears to mixture and cook, turning occasionally, until glazed. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper.
4. Serve warm, filling the hollows of pears with Savory Cranberry Sauce, if desired. Enjoy!

Savory Cranberry Sauce
Makes about 2 cups

1. In a heavy-based saucepan, place 1 cup finely diced, peeled Granny Smith apple, 12 oz (3 cups) cranberries, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup white wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons Gourmet Garden Cilantro and 2 tablespoons Gourmet Garden Ginger.
2. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until cranberries ‘pop’ and sauce begins to thicken.
3. Cool, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!

SOURCE Gourmet Garden