That springy sprig of green parsley dressing up your plate is more than just a garnish. Sure, cooks use it to add color to their food and present an appealing meal. But Petroselinum crispum has more going for it than its looks, especially if you use the bolder Italian, or flat-leaf, parsley. The sweet, celerylike taste of this herb can add flavor to everything from red meat to green salads. Plus, one little ounce of parsley contains almost half the vitamin C you need in a day and more than 10 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron for girls. back to top

How do I use parsley?
Buy a fresh bunch of Italian, or flat-leaf, parsley in the produce section of your market. You can get a container of dried parsley flakes in the spice aisle, but they're pretty dull. Usually drying intensifies an herb, but it sucks the flavor out of parsley. Besides, parsley is one of the cheapest herbs to buy fresh.

Before you add parsley to your food, rinse it, pat it dry, and chop it finely to release the flavorful oils. Then sprinkle it over any fish, meat, poultry, or vegetable dish. You can also stir it into any cream or tomato sauce just before you eat it. back to top

The natural breath freshener
The next time you see a sprig of parsley on your plate, eat it! Parsley can make bad breath disappear. All the better for kissing! back to top