Herbs de Provence is a wonderful herbal blend that lends itself to a variety of dishes. This DIY blend will ensure that you’ve plenty for yourself & gifts!In collaboration with Mountain Rose Herbs, I am pleased to bring you the first in my series of DIY Culinary Herb  & Spice Blends!

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Herbs de Provence – sounds so breezy, casually sophisticated, and invariably, obviously French.  It is easy to practically fetishize the splendid things that the French have done for fashion, décor, and cuisine.  The nation is kinda a cultural icon for all that is cool, chic, and desirable.  If the French didn’t do it first, then who did?

Truth be told, I am actually no major Francophile myself.  This is just my casual observation of the obsession with all things French.  I certainly don’t adhere to the “what-would-a-French-girl-do” obsession that is going on in North American right now. I am just Pacific Northwest farm girl with too many kids and a passion for herbs.  My clothes are terribly unsophisticated. But I do love French food.  So. Very. Much.

I am not sure how long I have been using Herbs de Provence in my cooking, but, suffice to say, it has been awhile.  I much prefer it to your standard “Italian seasoning” – the ubiquitous but often stale, boring and overused blend of dried herbs in everybody’s cupboard.  Herbs de Provence flavors are clean, green and a bit floral.  It is the first blend I turn to for seasoning a roast chicken or pork loin.  The blend is particularly lovely tossed with Yukon gold potatoes and a generous amount of olive oil, then roasted until tender, golden, and fragrant.  Serve those herbed potatoes with a dollop of sour cream (or crème Fraiche if we are being really Frenchy about it) and I barely need to think about any other food.

There is no one Herbs de Provence blend standard.  This blend arose from the herbs that grew generously in the south of France.  Although it is alleged that the addition of lavender was thrown in to please the tourist, I personally like a modest addition of flower.  Perhaps I am gauche, but I am rolling with it.

While a cursory internet search of Herbs de Provence will undoubtedly offer you many variations on the theme, here is my nitty gritty take on the blend: thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, summer savory, lavender, and fennel seed.  This recipe makes enough to have plenty for yourself, and a bit extra to bottles up for gifts!

For the record,  the urge to go Simon and Garfunkel in that herbal list was strong. And that super nerdy lyric reference is further evidence of why I am not as cool as a French girl.

Herbs de Provence Blend Recipe