Some of the ingedients I use most often in cooking are garlic, chilis and of course, fresh herbs.  I’m not too big on the dried stuff although I do feel it has it’s place.  For instance, if you’re cooking a sauce, dry herbs are always better because they withstand the longer cooking process far better than fresh would. 

Fresh herbs are an absolutle must for some dishes, however they tend to go bad quickly and they can be rather pricey.  If you’re a person who shys away from fresh herbs for this very reason, fear not, Gourmet Garden has got you covered!  Whoever came up with this concept is a genius.  

The whole idea behind these little tubes of yumminess is to process their herbs at the height of flavor, thus packing a ton of flavor in an airtight tube that drastically increases the shelf life of fresh herbs and spices so you can enjoy them far longer.  Best of all, if you stick them in the freezer after each use (which the company condones), you’ll increase their shelf life by 3 full months!!

We often have trouble getting quality fresh garlic at our local supermarket, but with Gourmet Garden we are always guaranteed the freshest garlic.  With a tube of garlic, prep time changes from 10 minutes of chopping, mincing and mashing with a knife to a single squeeze of a tube, and no more stinky fingers!

The Gourmet Garden offers 10 herbs and spices to choose from, including Basil, Chili Pepper, Oregano, Garlic, Lemon Grass, Dill, Italian Seasoning, Parsley, Cilantro and Ginger.  

They’re great in stir-frys, dips, salad dressings, sauces, or as condiments in their own right, get creative.  Check out their site for great recipes too!

• http://www.gourmetgarden.com/