Parsley Recipes For Better Pastas and Salads

Parsley has a fresh flavor and crisp taste which makes it an ideal addition to many foods. It is easy to grow and various climates thus it is easily found in its fresh form but can also be used in freeze-dried or dry form. Try some delicious Parsley Recipes at home for a delectable noon supper or evening meal.

There is a plethora of parsley recipes in the modern world because this herb has been around for so long that it has spread out to all corners of the globe. For this reason, it is readily available in most supermarkets and is the easiest of all the herbs to find. On top of its availability, it can be used in just about any dish. Whether its salads, omelets, eggs, mashed potatoes, meats, soups, or stews, any dish can benefit from the addition of parsley.

Recipe 

Italian Seashell Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 pound seashell pasta

• 1/3rd pound salami

• 1/3rd pound chopped pepperoni sausage

• 2/3rd can drained and chopped black olives

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 2 ½ tomatoes, chopped

• 1 package dry Italian salad dressing

• 2 tablespoons dry oregano

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/3rd cup goat cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a pot of seashell pasta to boil in salted water until the pasta becomes tender. Drain and cool under cold water. Add the olive oil and toss. In a large bowl, mix the pasta, pepperoni, salami, cheeses, black olives, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Stir in the powdered Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate for an hour or two. Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, the remaining Parmesan cheese, oregano, parsley, and salt and pepper. Pour this mixture over the salad just before serving.

Origin 

There are different variations of parsley such as curled, Italian, Hamburg, all belonging to the Apiaceae family. Parsley got its name from the Greek word for stone, petro, because it was found growing in the rocky hills of Ancient Greece. The Greeks didn't have any parsley recipes of their own because they didn't even use this herb in their cooking- they saw it as an herb signifying death and oblivion and thus used it for funeral processions. However, the Ancient Romans did make use of parsley recipes- they ate it with cheese and bread. 

The Greeks also used it to make wreaths honoring the athletes taking part in the Olympics. Jewish people have used it in the celebration of Passover as a symbol of rebirth.

In medieval times, farmers were too scared to even grow parsley because of the superstitious beliefs surrounding the plant. They thought it took a long time to sprout because the seeds had to go to hell and back seven times before it could grow!

Benefits

The modern age has confirmed Parsely to be rich in vitamins and A and C, minerals, and antioxidants. It reduces inflammations and infections. It contains histamine inhibitors and helps fight off free radicals, which are a main cause of aging and cancer. It works as a breath freshener because it contains a compound by the name of chlorofil. It even contains apiol, which is now used in drugs to fight kidney ailments and kidney stones. So Hippocrates wasn't wrong after all.

Parsley recipes incorporate an herb which is beneficial to one's health. It was once a staple ingredient in many recipes, but its popularity has been dwindling as of late. In ancient times, it was used for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems, respiratory tract problems, and urinary problems. Hippocrates used it as a cure-all, even for poison and kidney stones.