Essential pairings for optimal flavour
| Food | Early — start of cook | Mid | Finish — off heat / last 10 min | Go-to combo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥩 Beef | Rosemary Thyme Bay leaf Garlic | — | Parsley Oregano | Rosemary + Thyme → Parsley1:2 rosemary:thyme — rosemary is pungent, use sparingly |
| 🥔 Potatoes | Rosemary Thyme Garlic | Sage | Chives Parsley Dill | Rosemary + Garlic roast → Chives1 sprig rosemary : 3–4 garlic cloves; equal rosemary & thyme if combining both |
| 🍅 Tomatoes | Oregano Bay leaf Thyme | Marjoram | Basil Parsley | Oregano early → Fresh Basil at end1:3 dried oregano:fresh basil — basil is used very generously |
| 🐑 Lamb | Rosemary Thyme Oregano Cumin | — | Mint Parsley | Rosemary + Garlic → Mint2:1 rosemary:mint — mint is bright, don't overdo it |
| 🐷 Pork | Sage Rosemary Fennel seed | — | Parsley Chives | Sage + Fennel seed → Parsley1:2 sage:fennel seed — sage is assertive; 1:1 if using fresh sage |
| 🐔 Chicken | Thyme Rosemary Oregano | Tarragon | Parsley Chives | Thyme early → Tarragon finish2:1 thyme:tarragon — tarragon is anise-heavy, a little goes far |
| 🦃 Turkey | Sage Thyme Rosemary Garlic | — | Parsley Thyme | Sage + Thyme + Rosemary → Parsley2:1:1 sage:thyme:rosemary — sage leads; rub under skin with butter |
| 🦌 Venison / Game | Juniper Bay leaf Rosemary | Sage | Parsley | Juniper + Bay early → Sage mid2–3 juniper berries : 1–2 bay leaves : 1 sprig rosemary — juniper is very strong |
| 🐟 Fish | Fennel seed Bay leaf | — | Dill Parsley Tarragon Coriander | Bay in poaching liquid → Dill finish1 bay leaf per portion; dill and parsley can be used equally and generously |
| 🦐 Shellfish | Bay leaf Thyme (broth) | — | Parsley Tarragon Chives Coriander | Garlic butter + Parsley + Lemon3:1 parsley:tarragon if combining — tarragon easily overwhelms |
| 🥚 Eggs | — | Chives Thyme | Parsley Tarragon Dill Chives | Tarragon + Chives (Omelette classic)1:3 tarragon:chives — tarragon is intense; can substitute dill at 1:1 with chives |
| 🍄 Mushrooms | Thyme Rosemary | — | Parsley Chives Tarragon | Thyme early → Parsley finish1:2 thyme:parsley — parsley brightens; 1:1 thyme:rosemary if using both |
| 🥕 Root veg | Rosemary Thyme | Sage | Parsley Chives Mint (peas/carrots) | Thyme + Honey glaze → Parsley1:1 thyme:parsley; mint used separately at finish, not mixed |
| 🫘 Pulses / Stews | Bay leaf Thyme Rosemary Cumin | — | Coriander Parsley Mint | Bay + Thyme → Fresh Coriander2–3 bay leaves : 2–3 thyme sprigs; coriander used generously at finish |
| 🍝 Pasta / Sauce | Oregano Bay leaf | — | Basil Parsley | Oregano early → fresh Basil finish1:3 dried oregano:fresh basil — basil is generous; never cook fresh basil |