Rosemary - Food Through History

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs. Unique among herbs, its musty scent immediately takes me to an old wooden back porch. The kind with ancient rotting wood slats, covered in wisteria. Maybe a wicker chair and a cat, lace curtains, etc. etc. Rosemary's history is actually quite nice, best known in superstition and legend as a symbol of remembrance, friendship and love.

In weddings the bride wore a wreath of woven rosemary dipped in scented water. At funerals mourners tossed a sprig of rosemary in the grave as a symbol that the lost would not be forgotten. Rosemary is a lovely wedding gift for the bride as it means the women will be the heads of the household. Greek Scholars taught their students to wear a garland of rosemary on their heads during exams to improve memory. For centuries people believed that a rosemary plant would never grow taller than 6 feet in 33 years so as not to be taller than Christ.

Rosemary also wards off evil spirits and placed under a pillow will prevent bad dreams. Herb pillows are still made for this purpose. During the 1400 hundreds the branches of rosemary were burned in homes to prevent the plague.

The first book devoted entirely to herbs; "Banckes Herbal", was written in England in 1525. It said about Rosemary,"Take the flowers thereof and boyle against all manor of evils in the body." It is believed that the Queen of Hungary was cured of paralysis by rubbing a concoction of rosemary water into her joints. In the 16th century Perfumeries made a good living by "scenting" the homes of the wealthy. They simply boiled herbs in pans then walked around the house. In World War II a mixture of rosemary leaves and juniper berries was burned in hospitals in France to kill germs. It is believed to posses antibacterial qualities. The leaves and flowers contain a volatile oil, which as a rub sooths the pain of rheumatism, arthritis, bruises and wounds. Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub; its leaves look like greenish grey needles. The flowers range in color from white to, purple to blue. The plant can reach six feet in height.

Light a candle and add rosemary to the bath water, then kick back and enjoy the scented steam and hot water. Little sachets made from 2-inch squares of material then stuffed with herb makes a cute gift. Place the little pillows in a dresser drawer or under your pillow at night. It's great burned as incense. My personal favorite use for rosemary is in cooking and baking. I believe the smell of baking rosemary bread can enchant a lover, and for this reason I baked Rosemary Cheddar Loaf.

Rosemary Cheddar Loaf
Ingredients:

1 Package dry yeast
¼ c. warm water
½ c. milk
1/3 c. butter
1 TBLS sugar
½ tsp. Salt

3 eggs
1 tsp. Crushed dried rosemary
1tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Thyme
3¼ c. flour, white or whole wheat pastry flour
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg white

Dissolve yeast in warm water, let stand five minutes.
Heat milk and butter until butter melts; pour into a mixing bowl.
Add the sugar and salt, cool to room temperature.
Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth.
Add the yeast and herbs. Add 1/2 a cup of flour at a time. Add cheese .
Mix together well then turn it out onto a floured board; knead it until smooth and pliable.
Butter a large bowl, place in bowl then cover the bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm room.

My bathroom is my bread rising room; it's cheap to heat. When it has doubled in size return to board and knead lightly.

Place dough in a buttered 2-quart round casserole dish, cover and let rise until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 35 minutes.

Go outside then come back in and breathe deeply!
Remove bread from dish and place on cutting board.

It's wonderful tons with butter.

Enjoy!