Gypsy Road Trip

A Simpler Thyme in the Kitchen

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~Hippocrates

Kitchens are where families spend quality time, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. This is the place where memories of favorite foods transport us back to a simpler day.

Julia Brown’s idea for an herbal cookbook has been brewing for several years. Often at her workshops, she would serve a special herbal snack and people would say, “We need the recipe for that.” Many recipes were not even written down as grandmothers especially just put things together.

She recalls many recipes that her family used over the years to bring joy to their kitchen table. She did find a binder of her mother’s recipes a few years ago so that was a starting point. However, even following the recipe, the food didn’t taste exactly like mom’s. This required some experimenting, tasting, and revising to get things at their best and most of all adding that secret ingredient – love.

That was the beginning of collecting recipes from her mother, grandmothers, and other family members to use in a special cookbook – some she has spiced up just a little. This year she published her first cookbook, “A Simpler Thyme in the Kitchen.”

Julia, the author, had a couple of friends help her with the setup of this book so it is not only filled with wonderful recipes but also has great photographs and illustrations. Olivia Stock, designer and photographer, took pictures of many of the recipes while Amy Casey, watercolor artist, drew illustrations throughout the book. When you combine the talents of these three ladies, you have a delightful book that is a showpiece.

Julia has been interested in herbs for many years and has become a Certified Master Herbalist. Her family supports her love of herbs and their use on the table as well as for medicinal purposes. She has a small herbal education cabin, which you can also rent for an overnight stay. It’s located at 51953 County Rd. 186, Fresno.

In the cabin or in her garden, she shows the connection of farm-to-table and table-to-soul lifestyle during her workshops, which she holds a couple of times each month. Some workshops are make ‘n take, where participants might make a room spray, herbal essence, or her special Fire Cider. Other times she might focus on a particular herb and tell its medicinal and culinary uses. Visit her on Facebook under “A Simpler Thyme” for dates and more information on her programs.

In today’s world, Julia said, “We have a society of convenience. People want things that are easy to heat. However, there is satisfaction from something homemade as it comes from the heart.”

She also feels, “More people are planting little gardens now or even planting tomatoes in pots with the cost of food rising,” It seems we are going back to a time when growing our own food is becoming more popular. Many are even planting fruit trees and berries as an added source of good nutrition.

Talking to her, you can tell how excited she is about growing and preparing food that is nutritious and delicious. Her fervor for the use of herbs for culinary and medicinal uses has led her to write her first book.

The first section of “A Simpler Thyme in the Kitchen” describes the beneficial properties of some popular herbs such as thyme of course, basil, garlic, and rosemary. Thyme is a herb that helps support the immune system and also has an anti-fungal and disinfectant property. During WWI and WWII, ladies would embroider thyme and its flowers on handkerchiefs to give to their beloved soldiers as a reminder of their courage and bravery.

The book is divided into sections for each season of the year. Spring Thyme, Summer Thyme…you get the idea. All of the recipes include some of those favorite herbs.

For example, Spring Thyme’s recipes for Zucchini Frittata with Mint & Basil or Marinated “Dandy” Greens are sure to please your family. Her edible salad bowl will certainly surprise your guests!

Summer Thyme includes a Shepherds Pie with an Herbal Flare and a Stuffed Pepper Soup. Between the recipes, you will find many interesting facts about Garden Folk Lore and Food for Thought.

Autumn recipes include Pumpkin Soup, Jalapeno Cornbread, and Dinner in a Pumpkin. Find out interesting facts about those carved pumpkins at Halloween. Do you know why they call it a “Jack”-o-lantern?

Winter Thyme lists recipes for Hot Muller Wassail, Christmas Honey & Thyme Cookies, or Grandma Edna’s Spiced Christmas Beets. Learn more about Christmas legends regarding hanging Christmas stockings, putting a wreath on your front door, and why we kiss under the mistletoe.

If you would like to purchase a book, contact Julia Brown by messaging her on their Facebook page, or you can email her at brownjulia00@yahoo.com. She is also having several book signings, which are unique as they include speaking, signing, and sharing herbal snacks.

As you can tell, this book is more than a recipe book with beautiful photographs and illustrations. It is filled with delightful ancestral knowledge, wisdom, and recipes thanks to three ladies who used their God-given skills, talents, and strengths to make this cookbook a reality.

It’s thyme to make some memories in the kitchen!