That Herbal Family

By Rosie Moore

As many gourmet chefs and women in the kitchen know, herbs are the variety of the spice of life. In general use, they are the plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring. There are primary herbs, culinary herbs, and medicinal herbs. There are thousands of different herbs and I will name just a few of the most common ones. Such as: turmeric, cinnamon, basil, cardamom, marjoram, anise, clove, ginger, thyme and dill.

For thousands of years, cultures have sought to cure diseases and looked to herbs as the answer. They actually began using herbs medicinally as   early as 60,000 years ago. It is difficult to list every herb and its effects, but here are a couple of my favorites: teas containing chamomile, which treats sleeplessness and anxiety. Basil is great for fighting off infections; watercress is a popular salad ingredient that may prevent cancer. Use mint leaves to calm stomach upsets and, of course, everyone knows that rosemary enhances memory. I’m including a luscious recipe that will make you salivate.




1 pkg. chocolate cake mix

1 container chocolate frosting

1 container whipped topping, thawed

2 tbsp. instant coffee

1/2 c. hot water

12 oz., semi-sweet chocolate chips

12 oz. dark chocolate chips

1/2 lb. chocolate almond bark, melted


Step 1: Bake cake in two 8” pans according to directions.

Step 2: Allow cake to cool completely

Step 3: Mix coffee with hot water

Step 4: Mix coffee with whipped cream

Step 5: Melt chocolate almond bark in a double boiler

Step 6: Cut the two 8” cakes in half, creating 4–8” rounds

Step 7. Place one round onto cake platter and spread a third of the whipped topping coffee mix on it.

Step 8: Place a second round on top of it and repeat until the fourth round is placed on top


Step 9: Decorate the cake with the chocolate icing

Step 10: Press the semi-sweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips into the icing

Step 11: Drizzle the melted chocolate almond bark over the cake.

You will get that sublime chocolate taste plus that almond herbal flavor. Enjoy!


Thought for the day: And God said, Behold “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.  Genesis 1:29

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