Don't get us wrong. We love summer. It's a wonderful time of year full of hot sunny days, backyard barbecues and homemade sweet tea. But, there's just something so unique about fall that other seasons can't seem to match. Between the changing leaves and warm dinner dishes, the fall season and its food has won a special place in our hearts. When it comes to fall meals, choices are abundant. Seasonal fall produce begins to fill shelves, and unique herbs and spices are used strategically to make even the simplest of dishes extravagant. To help you boost your fall dishes' flavor, we've created this easy-to-follow list of five fall herbs to use in your Autumn recipes. So, pull out your best baking tools and get ready to whip up some incredible meals!

Chives

One of the most popular fall herbs out there, chives have been used in dishes for thousands of years. Small, flavorful and incredibly aromatic, chives are valued for much more than their pleasant flavor. Full of nutrients, chives can be used as a garnish or to add flavor to savory dishes like meats, eggs, cheeses and everything in between.

What Are Chives?

Chives are a close relative to scallions, shallots, leeks and garlic. Thin and earthy, they offer a subtle oniony flavor that works well when combined with other savory ingredients. Chives can be found in most grocery stores and markets and are used in many recipes, including several seasonal dishes made during the fall.

Featured Recipe: 13 Bean Chili

Searching for a way to use chives in your next meal? Whip up a large batch of this 13 Bean Chili Recipe. Delicious and simple to make, this chili uses seasonal spices and herbs like chives to create a savory and warming dish perfect for chilly fall nights. For an even more filling meal, serve this chili with a side of homemade cornbread. Everyone who takes a bite is sure to love it!

Rosemary

Rosemary is a potent herb that has an easily recognizable smell. Used in dishes by chefs and home cooks worldwide, it's a culinary herb that can be found in nearly every kitchen. Use rosemary to spruce up your lemonade, or mix it into savory dishes like soups, meat-based dishes, spreads and even bread. When we say that rosemary is unique, we mean it. Woodsy, with notes of citrus, pine and lavender, it's a sturdy herb that holds up to an immense amount of baking. Rosemary can be added to various meals that require high heat and prolonged cooking times. In fact, the longer rosemary is cooked, the more intense the flavor becomes! 

What Is Rosemary?

Rosemary is a plant that's native to the Mediterranean. In Latin, its name means "dew of the sea" since traditionally rosemary grew along the sea's shore. Recognized by its wood-like stems and needle-shaped leaves, it produces a woodsy aroma that is released when the oil inside the green rosemary needles is extracted.

Featured Recipe: Rosemary Lemon Tarts with Toasted Meringue

Searching for an autumn dessert recipe? Make these Rosemary Lemon Tarts with Toasted Meringue. This dessert features flaky tart shells spiked with fresh rosemary and filled with zesty lemon curd. Topped with toasted meringue, they're the perfect dessert to bring to your next holiday get-together, pair with tea or make for a special occasion at home. 

Sage

Sage is an herb that is appreciated for its earthy flavor and intense aroma. It's used in savory recipes and drinks. Although fresh and dried sage is commonly available year-round, it's used even more throughout the fall. A common ingredient in Thanksgiving stuffing, sage holds a special place at the holiday table and can be worked into countless seasonal plates. Additionally, sage is often used as an ornamental plant for medicinal purposes.

What Is Sage?

Part of the mint family, sage is an evergreen shrub that has oval-shaped leaves. When fresh, sage is a grey-ish green color, complete with a wood-like stem. Similar to that of rosemary. Because sage leaves have incredibly fine hairs, they often show off a slightly fuzzy appearance and texture, making sage less than enjoyable to eat raw. There are several different sage varieties; the most common varieties when cooking are common sage, garden sage and kitchen sage. 

Featured Recipe: Bacon and Sage Cornbread Stuffing

When added to dishes, sage brings warmth and complexity that is unmatched by any other herb. For a holiday stuffing that your family will come racing to the table to eat, make this Bacon and Sage Cornbread Stuffing. Made with our Gluten Free Cornbread Mix, it's a classic recipe that tastes great when accompanied by seasonal sides. 

Parsley

An herb used religiously in European and Middle Eastern Cuisine throughout the centuries, parsley has since become a worldwide herb used in countless dishes. Versatile, fresh and subtle when added to meals, parsley adds a pop of color and herbal flavor that takes your plate to the next level. Parsley is available in fresh and dry form year-round but makes a special appearance in autumn's seasonal dishes. It's slightly bitter taste works to complement the unique flavors of other ingredients in the dish. Additionally, parsley can be used to garnish any plate or drink, giving an attractive pop of green for the perfect final touch. 

What Is Parsley?

Parsley is a leafy herb that originated in the Mediterranean. Though its exact origin is unknown, we know that parsley has been used in countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Algeria for centuries. In Latin, it's scientific name Petroselinum Crispum stems from the Greek word "petro," meaning stone. It was named as such because it was often found growing in the rocky hills of Greece. 

Featured Recipe: Savory Wild and Brown Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is one of the most comforting plates to make during the fall. A warming and filling dish, it's the ideal side to pair with lean proteins and meats. Additionally, rice pilaf can be used as a filling when stuffing bell peppers, mushrooms and even pumpkin. To make this savory rice pilaf, fresh parsley, onion and carrot are finely chopped and mixed into the recipe to provide the perfect balance of tasty flavors.

Lavender

If you thought lavender was just a flower, think again. Lavender is an herb that is used in several cooking recipes. In fact, it's likely in a lot more dishes than you'd think. Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, lavender is an herb closely related to mint, rosemary, sage and basil. One of the most common ways you see lavender used in cooking is blended into a popular herb and spice blend known as "Herbes de Provence." Used to create teas, dinner dishes and mouth watering desserts, the list of ways you can use lavender is endless. 

What Is Lavender?

Lavender is an herb that dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used lavender in their mummification process, and Romans and Greeks added this calming herb to their bathwater. Additionally, all of these cultures also incorporated lavender into their food dishes, much like today's chefs. Known to be calming and to help relax the senses, cooking with lavender has several benefits.

Today, lavender is mostly grown in Provence, France (Hence the Herbes de Provence mix). However, it can be found in grocery stores worldwide. A fast-growing herb, lavender grows well and is available year-round. 

Featured Recipe: Almond Lavender Biscotti

Who doesn't love cookies? Especially in the fall. If you're searching for the perfect light and refreshing cookie to snack on throughout your day, then try out this Almond Lavender Biscotti Cookie Recipe. A light and delicate flavor, these cookies are perfect when paired with tea or coffee. Enjoy them as a sweet breakfast cookie or as an afternoon treat. When you choose to snack on these cookies, we know that it will add a bit of sweetness to your day.

Get set for fall by filling your weekly menu with herb-infused dishes that are both delicious and impressive. Whether you're a pro at cooking with herbs or just starting, this list of five autumn herbs to use this season will ensure that you always feel prepared. From lavender to chives, the herbs on this list are loaded with flavor and culinary surprises. When the leaves begin to fall, and a cool breeze fills the air, try out some of the recipes on this list that showcase autumn's best flavors.

Have a favorite fall herb you think we should know about? We'd love to hear about it. Let us know the different herbs you stay stocked up on in the comments below. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy holidays!