In college I learned that I love to cook, but that fresh herbs are painfully expensive at the grocer store. So, one of the first things that I ever grew from seed was a small pot full of herbs. It's been long enough ago that I'm not sure what all was in that container, but I do remember Basil Genovese and garlic chives, two of the easiest herbs of all to grow in containers. Both of which are still regulars in my container herb gardens, along with all of these easy to grow herbs.
Cilantro – For Mexican cuisine, Cilantro is a must. It is the perfect herb to compliment acidic foods, such as lime and tomato. It is also called Coriander, and it is both a spice and an herb in one plant. Use the leaves fresh, dried, or frozen as the herb Cilantro, and, once it goes to seed, dry the seeds (technically tiny fruit, but I digress) in the sun and grind them fresh as the spice Coriander. Cilantro Delfino is one of the easiest varieties to grow, as it grows quickly, produces lots of leaves, and is slow to bolt, which means that it will produce delicious cilantro for longer, which means more batches of fresh salsa straight from the garden.
Lemon Grass – As Cilantro is a must for Mexican food, Lemon Grass is necessary for many Asian dishes. The leaves and stems are delicious fresh or dried, and impart a distinct lemony taste to whatever they're
used in that just can't be replicated. Lemon Grass is great in soups, and makes for a unique and wonderful addition to hot teas.
Red-Leafed Basil РThis dark basil brings a more intense, spicier flavor to the kitchen than most other basils. It goes wonderfully with artichoke hearts, or in just about anything with vinegar. Crush these leaves into hot vinegar or olive oil to make an amazing foundation for salad dressings, or to lend a unique, subtle flavor to anything saut̩ed in the oil. It's also a beautiful plant, and our Red Rubin Basil is one of the best, and easiest to grow, varieties around.