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What is Dill?
Dill is a yellow-flowered annual herb that is related to the celery family Apiaceae. By annual, it means that it is a plant that completes its life cycle from germination to the production of seeds in one growing season.
Because it replants itself, it can spread widely. Wish we had known this prior to planting it in our garden!
Dill is green in colour and has wiry, feathery leaves. It is one of the oldest medical herbs found back in classical Greek and Roman times.
How to Grow Dill at Home?
Dill thrives in full sunlight positions. It needs fertile, moist and well-drained soil, which would benefit from soil improvers and fertilisers.
Sow the seeds and lightly cover them with soil and water. As seedlings grow, thin them out untill they are about 20 cm – 25 cm apart. Good organic mulch around the base of the plant will help it hold the moisture in.
For the leaves to grow well, snip off the flowers. When you need some dill, just cut them to harvest. As you never really need a lot for a recipe, a dill plant will yield plenty of leaves for you to use.
Can I Use Dried Dill for Salads?
Like all herbs, they are best eaten fresh. Even if it’s to be mixed through a salad dressing, they shouldn’t be the dried version.
The dried version of any herb is never as aromatic and flavoursome. Dill, in particular, has such a distinctive taste that you’d want to enjoy their delicate leaves as they are.
What Does Dill Taste Like?
Flavour: Dill is incredibly aromatic with grassy, citrusy and anise-like flavours. It is complex, yet mild and its flavours change. When you first put it in your mouth, it can be considered sweet, but after a while, it becomes almost tart.
Texture: Dill leaves are feathery, wiry and delicate. They are usually chopped or picked from their stem and makes for an excellent garnish.
What Goes Well with Dill?
Fruit and Vegetables
Apple, asparagus, avocado, beetroot, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, corn, cucumber, fennel, green bean, horseradish, kohlrabi, mushroom, potato, radish, spinach, sugar snap peas.
Protein and Other
Barley, beef, bulgur, couscous, egg, lamb, mayonnaise, mustard, ocean trout, pork, quinoa, salmon, tempeh, tofu, veal.
How to Use Dill in Salads?
Dill is best used fresh so that you can take full advantage of its unique flavours. All you do is pick the leaves and either sprinkle on top of the salad like a garnish or tossed through the salad.
They are also excellent in salad dressings, especially if they are nice and creamy.
Dill is very flavoursome, so a little goes a long way. Don’t add too much, or you’ll overpower the rest of the salad.
Salad Recipes with Dill
Egg Salad with Dill and Rocket
A new twist on the classic Egg Salad with dill and rocket mingled together with tangy dill salad dressing creates creamy magic on a plate.
Beetroot Cured Salmon Salad with Black Fish Roe
A special occasion, be it a milestone or festive celebration, deserves a salad that will impress your guests. This Beetroot Cured Salmon Salad is spectacular, not to mention delectable! Go ahead, spoil your family and friends!
Celeriac Mango and Guava Salad
Who would have thought a knobby, ugly root vegetable, sweet tropical fruits and a nasal clearing infused dressing could be so good? This Guava Salad is no simple flavour combination, and you’ll be surprised how fantastic it tastes!
More Ingredient Pairings
Here are more ingredient pairing ideas for your next salad creation!
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Jere Cassidy
I always grow dill so I can toss it into salads, there is something about the smell that is so fresh. I used to make dill bread and now this post reminds me to get that recipe out and make it.
The Devil Wears Salad
Dill bread? Yum! What a great idea! We have dill in our garden too and love the smells when we’re sitting outside or walking past.
Debra
Awesome…I just planted dill seeds in my window to plant in the garden when it’s warmer. I pinned that top lovely graphic so I’ll have these recipes handy when my bumper crop comes in.
The Devil Wears Salad
That’s awesome Debra! Glad it gives you some inspiration for your next cook!
Natalie
This is a really good guide. I love dill but I never knew that there are so many pairings. I will definitely use it more often now.
The Devil Wears Salad
Plenty of new and interesting ways to mix it up with dill!
Nora
I use dill only now and then in cooking. But after your article, I have to use them more often now! *Yummy* I especially like your egg salad with dill and rocket recipe! Thanks for sharing!
The Devil Wears Salad
You’re welcome! Yeah that egg and dill salad is yum!
Freya
I love dill but I had never thought to use it with some of these delicious recipes! I love the inspiration I always get from you guys!!
The Devil Wears Salad
That’s so cool Freya! Glad we’re able to do so.
Linda
I rarely add dill to my salads; however, these recipes get me excited to be more adventurous with dill
The Devil Wears Salad
Oh they make such a difference. Those flavours and smells are so lovely.