Easy Herb Spread

 Easy Herb Spread (Gremolata Recipe)

This easy herb spread is made with just a few simple ingredients but is a nutrient powerhouse.  This delicious spread is made with parsley, basil, garlic, olive oil, and lemon.  Spread this on sourdough bread for a delicious meal!!  This herb spread is perfect for livening up any seafood or poultry dish and is bursting with flavor.  Believe it or not but my ten-year-old was asking for more!  Not only that, but this is so nutritious and healthy for you, that it should be in your pantry daily.  You can spread this on meat or seafood, or just add some into your pasta.  This spread lasts about 7 days in the fridge so if you make a big batch on Monday, you will have it for the rest of the week...that is, if it lasts that long.  This spread is also super affordable to make as you most likely have garlic, lemon, and olive oil already in your pantry.  You probably also have salt, pepper, and bread.  Although you need 2 bunches of flat-leaf Italian parsley, it is only a little over $1 per bunch.  

Parsley has many health benefits which is why I love to use this herb for cooking! Parsley is a natural diuretic and can reduce bloating and high blood pressure.  It is a herb that is loaded with Vitamin K which supports bone growth and bone mineral density.  Parsley also contains more vitamin C than oranges and contains antioxidants that are required in your daily diet.  Parsley also contains twice the amount of iron than spinach!  Did you ever notice that parsley is included in many health drinks at your local juicer?  The reason why parsley is included in healthy smoothies and juices are that it binds heavy metals and assists with detoxification of the body.  

I include basil in my herb spread for its amazing taste and its health benefits.  If you are looking to prevent heart disease, basil is the herb for you! Basil has eugenol, which can act as a natural calcium channel blocker, thereby lowering your blood pressure.   The natural essential oils in basil can lower your triglycerides and cholesterol.  Basil helps maintain skin health, boosts digestion, and detoxifies the body.  In addition, basil just tastes great and adds a rich, green color to your spread!

In addition to parsley and basil, we add garlic, lemon, lemon zest, and olive oil.  Each of these has amazing health benefits that it lends to this spread.  

The only tool you will need in your kitchen to make this dish is a good food processor.  I highly recommend a food processor when creating this spread as you will get an even chop on the parsley and basil.  You could try to make this dish using a blender but I have not made it that way just yet.  

So, here is the recipe for this delicious spread!

Ingredients:

2 bunches flat-leaf Italian parsley

5 garlic cloves

zest of 1 lemon

juice of 1 lemon

1/2 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor.  Spread on crusty bread, pasta or fish!  Enjoy!