If you’ve ever cooked with fresh herbs, you know that they make a world of difference in the flavor of your dish. Luckily, herbs are very easy to grow right on your windowsill at Reserve at Garden Oaks! Here are 5 must-have herbs that will add depth and complexity to pastas, meats, salads or even beverags.

1. Chives. Even if you don’t have much light in your kitchen, chives are sure to thrive. These mild, onion-like herbs are a great substitute for onions in a dish, and they’re easy to grow from an already-established plant from your local nursery.
2. Mint. For everything from fruit salads to summer cocktails, mint is a wonderful addition. This hearty herb grows very quickly and heartily, and it also gives off a wonderfully fresh scent in your kitchen.
3. Oregano. For kitchens with bright sunlight, oregano is a must-have herb. This rich herb is perfectly paired with Italian dishes.
4. Basil. While basil isn’t the easiest herb to grow indoors, it is very worthwhile in dishes like pizzas, pastas and salad dressings. Just keep a careful eye on it in the wintertime.
5. Rosemary. If you’re a forgetful plant-owner, rosemary is the perfect herb for you. Because this one prefers to stay dry, it only needs minimal watering. It’s also perfect to add to chicken or fish dishes.

The Nine Easiest Herbs to Grow Indoors [Divine Caroline]
10 Herbs To Grow Inside All Year Long [Rodale's Organic Life]
13 herbs to grow in your kitchen [Oregon Live]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr caligula1995

For true coffee lovers in the Houston area, any old grocery store beans just won’t do. That’s why so many area residents adore Katz Coffee, a micro roaster that consistently churns out fresh coffees, some of which are only a few hours old when you purchase them.

Stop in to this off-the-beaten-path roaster and you’ll instantly get hit with the intoxicating aroma of premium beans roasting right on site. Katz sources coffee beans from responsible, sustainable sources all over the world, and once received, they roast them in their Houston warehouse and ship them to coffee shops all over the area.

If you go straight to the source, however, you can meet the knowledgeable, coffee-loving minds behind the brews and even pick up bags of beans in bulk. Check out delicious batches like the popular Jumping Mouse blend, Bavarian Chocolate for those who prefer flavored coffee and even Velvet Espresso to make your own latte at home.

Katz Coffee
1003 W 34th St
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 864-3338
www.KatzCoffee.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr jonathan mcintosh

One of the hardest parts about planning a party is deciding how much food to prepare. It’s every host’s fear to imagine running out of appetizers, but it’s just as frustrating when you’re left with way too many leftovers! Before your next gathering, check out these helpful tips for portion planning and avoid these entertaining mishaps.

• Consider this: on average, a guest will drink between three and four drinks every four hours or so. You might also want to keep in mind that a standard bottle of wine equals four to six glasses, while a two-liter of soda equals about 10 glasses.
• For appetizers, imagine that each person will eat approximately five per hour. If you’re serving only appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, add two or three to that number.
• For your main course, choose things like meat and vegetables to make it easy to dole out portions. If you’re serving something like stir-fry or pasta, imagine that the average person will eat approximately a four-ounce serving.
• Once you get to dessert, it’s safe to assume that each person will have only one piece — although it’s always smart to get a few extras just in case.

How to Estimate the Food You Need for Your Memorial Day Picnic, Barbecue, or Pool Party [Delish]
How to Calculate the Amount of Food You Need for a Party [Livestrong]
Food & Beverage Quantities to Order [Planning Helper]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Jun Seita