Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb from the mint family, known for its mild lemon scent and flavor.
It has been cherished for centuries, not only for its culinary versatility but also for its medicinal properties.
In this article, we will delve into various ways to incorporate lemon balm into your kitchen, exploring a range of recipes from teas and beverages to savory dishes and desserts.
The Versatility of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm’s bright, citrusy aroma and flavor make it a delightful addition to many recipes. It can be used fresh or dried, and its leaves can be steeped, infused, blended, or cooked. Whether you are aiming to create a soothing tea, a refreshing salad, or a delectable dessert, lemon balm can enhance your culinary creations in unique ways.
Best Lemon Balm Recipes For 2024
Teas and Beverages Recipes
Lemon Balm Tea
Simple Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is a soothing and refreshing beverage known for its calming effects, making it a perfect drink for unwinding after a long day.
The process of making lemon balm tea is straightforward and involves steeping fresh or dried lemon balm leaves in boiling water.
This allows the mild lemony essence to infuse the water, creating a pleasant and aromatic tea. This herbal tea can be enjoyed as is, or sweetened with honey and a splash of lemon juice for added flavor. Lemon balm tea is also a great base for blending with other herbs like mint or chamomile to create custom herbal tea blends tailored to your taste preferences.
The versatility of this tea extends to its temperature; it can be served hot to warm you on a chilly day or chilled as a refreshing iced tea in the summer.
Lemon Balm and Mint Iced Tea
Lemon balm and mint iced tea is a refreshing summer drink that combines the bright, citrusy notes of lemon balm with the cool, invigorating flavor of mint.
This iced tea is particularly popular in warmer months as it provides a cooling and hydrating beverage option. To make this tea, both lemon balm and mint leaves are steeped in boiling water to extract their flavors, then cooled and served over ice.
The blend of these two herbs creates a harmonious balance, with the mint adding a refreshing counterpoint to the gentle lemon flavor of the lemon balm.
Sweeteners like honey or sugar can be added to taste, and for an extra twist, a slice of lemon or a few berries can be included. This iced tea not only tastes delightful but also offers the soothing benefits of lemon balm and the digestive aid properties of mint, making it both a tasty and beneficial drink.
Infused Waters and Lemonades
Lemon Balm Infused Water
Infused water is a simple yet effective way to stay hydrated while enjoying the subtle flavors of fresh herbs and fruits. Lemon balm infused water is particularly refreshing, offering a mild lemony flavor without any added sugars or artificial flavors.
To prepare this infused water, fresh lemon balm leaves are added to a pitcher of water along with slices of lemon and optionally cucumber for added freshness.
The water is then allowed to sit, usually in the refrigerator, for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld together.
This infusion process allows the natural oils from the lemon balm and other ingredients to permeate the water, resulting in a delicately flavored beverage.
Lemon balm infused water is a great alternative to plain water, providing a hint of flavor that encourages increased water intake, which is especially beneficial during hot weather or after exercise.
Lemon Balm Lemonade
Lemon balm lemonade takes the classic summer beverage and elevates it with the addition of fresh lemon balm leaves.
This drink is perfect for hot days, providing a refreshing and slightly herbal twist on traditional lemonade. The process involves creating a simple syrup infused with lemon balm, which is then mixed with fresh lemon juice and water.
The result is a lemonade with a fragrant lemon balm undertone that complements the tartness of the lemons beautifully. This herbal lemonade can be sweetened to taste, making it a versatile drink that can be adjusted for different preferences.
Additionally, garnishing the lemonade with a few fresh lemon balm leaves or lemon slices adds a visually appealing touch.
Lemon balm lemonade is not only delicious but also offers the soothing properties of lemon balm, making it a delightful and beneficial summer refreshment.
Savory Dishes
Soups
Lemon Balm Chicken Soup
Lemon balm chicken soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the nourishing qualities of chicken soup with the bright, citrusy notes of lemon balm.
This soup is particularly suited for cooler weather or when you need a comforting meal. The preparation involves sautéing aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery before adding chicken broth and shredded cooked chicken.
Freshly chopped lemon balm leaves are added towards the end of cooking, infusing the soup with their distinctive lemony flavor. This addition enhances the overall taste of the soup, making it more vibrant and refreshing.
Lemon balm chicken soup is not only delicious but also offers the potential health benefits of lemon balm, which is known for its calming effects and digestive aid properties. This makes the soup a wholesome and beneficial meal option for the entire family.
Salads and Dressings
Lemon Balm and Cucumber Salad
Lemon balm and cucumber salad is a light and refreshing dish perfect for warm weather. The crispness of fresh cucumbers pairs beautifully with the mild lemon flavor of lemon balm, creating a salad that is both cooling and flavorful.
Thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions are combined with chopped lemon balm leaves, then dressed with a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The result is a salad that is not only visually appealing but also delightfully fresh in taste.
This salad can be served as a side dish or as a light main course, especially when paired with grilled chicken or fish.
The addition of lemon balm not only enhances the flavor but also adds potential health benefits, making this salad a nutritious and enjoyable part of any meal.
Lemon Balm Vinaigrette
Lemon balm vinaigrette is a versatile and zesty dressing that can elevate any salad or be used as a marinade for meats and vegetables.
The preparation involves blending fresh lemon balm leaves with olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to create a smooth and flavorful vinaigrette.
The lemon balm adds a citrusy undertone to the dressing, making it perfect for salads that include fresh greens, fruits, or even grilled vegetables.
This vinaigrette can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
Its bright and refreshing taste makes it a great addition to any dish, adding both flavor and potential health benefits associated with lemon balm, such as digestive aid and stress relief.
Main Courses
Lemon Balm Roasted Chicken
Roasting chicken with lemon balm gives it a fragrant and delicious flavor, making it a standout dish for any meal.
The process involves rubbing a whole chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then stuffing it with fresh lemon balm leaves and lemon quarters. As the chicken roasts, the lemon balm infuses the meat with its mild lemony essence, creating a succulent and aromatic main course.
The addition of lemon balm not only enhances the flavor but also adds a unique twist to traditional roasted chicken. This dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, offering a delightful and flavorful option that is sure to impress.
The use of lemon balm also provides potential health benefits, making this roasted chicken not only tasty but also beneficial for overall well-being.
Lemon Balm Pesto Pasta
Lemon balm pesto pasta is a unique take on traditional pesto, using lemon balm instead of basil for a bright, citrusy flavor.
The pesto is made by blending fresh lemon balm leaves with grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts or walnuts, garlic, and olive oil.
This pesto is then tossed with cooked pasta, creating a dish that is both flavorful and refreshing. The lemon balm adds a distinctive twist to the pesto, making it lighter and more aromatic compared to the classic version.
This pasta dish is perfect for a quick and easy meal, offering a burst of fresh flavor that is sure to satisfy. Additionally, the use of lemon balm in the pesto provides potential health benefits, making this pasta not only delicious but also nutritious.
Sweet Dishes
Desserts
Lemon Balm Ice Cream
Lemon balm ice cream is a refreshing treat that combines the creamy texture of ice cream with the subtle, lemony flavor of lemon balm.
The preparation involves infusing milk and cream with fresh lemon balm leaves, then combining it with egg yolks and sugar to create a custard base.
This mixture is churned in an ice cream maker to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. The result is a delightful ice cream that offers a unique and refreshing taste.
Lemon balm ice cream is perfect for hot summer days or as a dessert to impress guests. Its mild lemon flavor is both soothing and invigorating, providing a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of lemon balm in a sweet and indulgent form.
Lemon Balm and Lemon Cookies
Lemon balm and lemon cookies are perfect for tea time, offering a bright and citrusy flavor that is both refreshing and satisfying.
The cookies are made by incorporating finely chopped lemon balm leaves and lemon zest into a buttery dough, creating a cookie that is fragrant and flavorful. Baking these cookies fills the kitchen with a delightful lemon aroma, making the experience even more enjoyable.
The finished cookies are light and crisp, with a subtle lemon balm undertone that complements the tartness of the lemon zest.
These cookies are great for pairing with a cup of tea or coffee, providing a delightful treat that is both tasty and beneficial. The use of lemon balm in the cookies not only enhances the flavor but also adds potential health benefits, making these cookies a delicious and wholesome indulgence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, lemon balm is a versatile and beneficial herb that can enhance a variety of dishes, from teas and beverages to savory dishes and desserts. Its mild lemon flavor and potential health benefits make it
a valuable addition to any kitchen. Whether you are looking to create a refreshing drink, a comforting soup, or a delectable dessert, lemon balm can provide a unique and delightful twist to your culinary creations. Experiment with these recipes and discover the wonderful ways lemon balm can elevate your cooking.