Welcome to 2012 everyone!

What better way to celebrate the coming new year than with a look back at some of our favorite recipes of 2011?

The mere thought of oils, vinegars, butters, and salts infused with the essence of savory herbs is enough to make the taste buds swoon.  Simple to concoct, these preparations are eminently useful for creating flavorful dressings, marinades, rubs, beverages, vinaigrettes, sauces, and so much more.

Calendula is one of my very favorite herbs. The cheerful orange and yellow blossoms look gorgeous in the garden and are incredibly versatile in an array of preparations.