The dried summer savory is no stranger in the culinary field, and its longer shelf life and unique flavor have made it more popular than the other dried savory herbs. This culinary ingredient has existed for a long time, and it has become the star ingredient in most recipes, giving it a sweet and spicy taste and leaving a strong aroma in the air when used.
The dry summer savory is present in most delicious recipes. Still, it may not be present in most kitchens or grocery stores, especially when needed. This article would be discussing some of the most competitive alternatives that could be used in its place.
What is Dried Savory?
Only two are popular out of the many existing savory herbs, including the summer and winter savory. However, the summer savory is more popular than the winter savory because of its mildly bitter taste. These savory plants have been around for more than 2000 years.
The Summer savory has a life span of a year. It is sold in two forms, the dried and the fresh. The dried is made from the fresh savory, which allows it to last for longer periods without going bad. When added to recipes, it has a spicy, sweet, and mildly bitter taste and its leaves have a bright green shade.
On the other hand, the winter savory can be recognized from its darker green leaves. It has a life span of more than a year, and it is also sold in dried and fresh form. Unlike the savory summer spice, it has a more bitter taste, growing well on mountains or rocks. The savory winter sage and pine aroma was the reason behind its name. Its aroma is similar to scents associated with the winter periods.
Savory Nutrition Facts
Dried Savory Uses in Recipes
Dried savory is a staple in most Italian and French cuisines. It is used to improve the flavor of foods and season fresh meat and poultry. It also has health benefits like aiding digestion, relieving joint pain, etc. It is used in different recipes like;
- Summer Savory Bruschetta Topping
- Vegetarian Cassoulet
- White Bean Soup
- Italian Seasoning
- All-Purpose No-Salt Seasoning Mix
- Roasted White Asparagus With Herbes de Provence
- Musaka
- Cretonnade
- Herbes de Provence
- Pea Soup
- Remoulade Sauce
- Breakfast Sausage Patties
- Mushroom Soup
- Zucchini Soup With Herbes
- Savory Sausage Toad-in-the-Hole
- Sarmale
- Mittie
Dry Savory Substitute
The savory spice belongs to the mint family. Other herbs belong to the mint family and share almost the same qualities. If you find yourself in a position where you cannot get the dried savory spice, other alternatives would be easy to find and replace. Some of them include;
Thyme
Substitute of Dried thyme is a close element that is easy to find. It has the same minty and intense flavor as the summer savory, and it is sometimes used along with the summer savory in most recipes. Dry thyme can be substituted for the same amount of dry summer savory in any recipe.
Marjoram
This is also a suitable alternative for dry summer savory. The fresh Marjoram is delicate, and it cannot withstand heat, but the dried version would work well in recipes. The marjoram flavor is almost like thyme and dried oregano with hints of mint since it is from the mint family, like the summer savory. The exact amount of Marjoram can be used in place of the same amount of savory spice.
Sage
Sage is a popular spice used in various recipes like sauces, spice mixtures, beans, pastries, fresh seasoning meat, etc. It is also from the mint family and has a strong earthy bitter flavor and hints of citrus and pine flavors.
Dried herbs or spices are much more concentrated in taste and smell, especially the sage, but since we would be substituting it for another dried spice, a ratio of 1:1 can be applied. However, smaller amounts of sage could be used first before increasing it.
Herbes de Provence
In most cases, the Herbes de Provence would be a suitable alternative. This spice mixture contains different dried herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary, and even the summer savory.
These spices together introduce rich flavors and aroma in different recipes. When using these substitutes, a ratio of 1:1 can be employed.
Oregano
The oregano has almost the same flavors as the Marjoram, which it is a close substitute for and sometimes mistaken for but differs from it with its stronger flavor. The oregano has a minty, citrus, slightly bitter taste like the summer savory, making it a close substitute. The oregano can also be used in the same measurements as summer savory when substituting for it in any recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you dry savory at home?
Fresh savory could be dried in a paper bag at home, make holes at the sides of the bag for proper air circulation, then place the leaves with stems sticking out inside the bag. After this, you can hang the bag in an area with enough air to go around the bag. When the leaves are dry enough to crumble, you could store this in an air-tight container.
What is the difference between sweet and savory
foods mostly associated with a sweet taste like sugar or honey? Still, the savory taste is associated with a combination of herbs and spices in foods like vegetables or meats, giving a delicious taste without sugar.
Can savory be preserved by freezing?
Yes, it can. Once washed, they can be wrapped with freezer wrap and sealed in a freezer bag to last longer.
Conclusion
Summer savory is a small herb that has gradually made its way into the culinary field. It improves sauces, marinades, soups, stews, roasted chicken, baking, etc. However, it comes from a large mint family. When this item isn’t available, other mint herbs share the same flavors and could be easily swapped for it in any recipe.