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Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosmarinus officinalis
Did you know that… ?
  1. …rosemary in large doses is an intoxicant?
  2. …rosemary is used as a remedy for rheumatism or baldness?
  3. …rosemary is a bisexual plant, having both male and female reproductive parts, sometimes on different plants and sometimes on the same plant?
  4. …rosemary is an important ingredient in Provencal spice?
  5. …during epidemics, a pouch of rosemary worn around the neck was supposed to guard against infection?
  6. …rosemary was sanctified by the goddess Aphrodite and regarded as a symbol of fertility, love and reliability?
  7. …in ancient Greece, students wore rosemary wreaths to help their scholastic efforts?
  8. …rosemary as a spice is the fresh or dried leaves of the herb Rosmarinus officinalis?
Dried rosemary leafs
Recipe

Fried fish in rosemary batter

about 1 kg fish
salt
3 tablespoons oil
lemon

batter:
3 eggs
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon milk or white wine
1 tablespoon crushed rosemary
tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
pepper

Use either freshwater or ocean fish, even fish fillets are fine. Cut and salt to taste, dip in whipped batter and fry in a heated pan. Allow fried portions to drain and serve with potatoes and slices of lemon.

Story

Records of the use of rosemary both as a spice and a remedy reach far back in history. It was believed to be a cleansing agent as well as a healing one. The name of this strongly aromatic plant comes from Latin and is quite poetic: "ros maris", meaning rose of the sea. It acquired this name due to its natural habitat - it grows wild on rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The name is also sometimes translated and "ocean dew". Legend has it that when Jesus' family was resting during their escape to Egypt, Mary spread her robe on a rosemary bush. The originally white flowers turned themselves heavenly blue in her honor and since then, rosemary flowers are blue.