Lovage (Levisticum Officinale) is an aromatic plant commonly used in Romanian cuisine for soups, broths, pickles, and salads.
Growing Lovage – The Green Flavor of Your Garden 🌿
Easy to grow, lovage adds a fresh taste and a pleasant fragrance to any dish. It’s ideal for vegetable gardens but can also be cultivated in pots or on balconies.
🌱 Why Grow Lovage?
- ✅ Intense flavor: Perfect for soups, broths, and traditional dishes.
- ✅ Easy to grow: Lovage grows quickly and doesn’t require complex care.
- ✅ Great for small gardens: It can be grown in vegetable gardens or in pots on balconies.
- ✅ Fresh or dried: Fresh leaves are used in dishes, while dried leaves are perfect for preserving flavor.
🌍 Soil & Light Requirements
- ☀️ Sunlight: Lovage prefers sunny spots but can also tolerate partial shade.
- 🌱 Soil: Loose, well-drained, and rich in humus. Ideal pH: 6.0–7.5.
- 💧 Watering: Requires moderate but consistent watering. The soil should be kept slightly moist, not waterlogged.
🧑🌾 Preparing the Soil
- ♻️ Soil enrichment: Incorporate compost or organic fertilizer to increase soil fertility.
- 🧹 Weed control: Remove weeds and loosen the soil to a depth of about 15–20 cm.
- 🧪 Check pH: If the soil is too acidic, add some wood ash to balance the pH.
🌱 Planting Lovage
- 📆 When to plant: Early spring (March–April) or fall (September–October).
- 🌰 How to plant: Plant seeds about 1–2 cm deep, with 10–15 cm of space between each plant.
- 💧 After planting: Keep the soil moist until germination, which typically takes 10 to 20 days.
🧰 Caring for Lovage
- 💧 Regular watering: Lovage prefers moist soil, so make sure to water it consistently, especially during hot periods.
- 🌿 Thinning plants: After germination, thin the plants to allow for proper growth, leaving about 20 cm between them.
- 🌾 Fertilization: If the soil is poor, add compost every 2–3 weeks.
- 🐛 Pest protection: Lovage is fairly resistant to pests, but it's still a good idea to monitor for aphids and use natural solutions like soapy water if necessary.
🌼 Harvesting Lovage
- ⏳ When to harvest: Lovage is ready to be harvested when the leaves reach 15–20 cm in height. You can harvest the leaves as they grow.
- ✂️ How to harvest: You can cut the top leaves or the entire plant, leaving the root to regenerate.
- 🌾 Seeds: If you want to collect seeds for planting, leave the flowers to dry on the plant and collect them once fully dried.
- 🧊 Storage: Fresh lovage can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days, while dried leaves can be kept in a cool, dry place for later use.
✅ Conclusion
Lovage is a versatile, easy-to-grow aromatic plant that adds a refined taste and intense fragrance to your dishes. It grows quickly, is ideal for small gardens, and can be used fresh or dried throughout the year.
🌿 Lovage Benefits
🍽️ Improved Digestion
Stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, reducing bloating and abdominal discomfort.
💧 Diuretic Properties
Helps eliminate excess water and supports detoxification.
🔥 Anti-inflammatory Effect
Soothes pain and inflammation in the body.
🛡️ Immune System Support
Rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system.
😌 Calms Nervous Disorders
Reduces stress and anxiety.
🩺 Kidney and Bladder Health
Supports healthy urinary tract function.
🦠 Antibacterial and Antifungal
Fights bacteria and fungi through its essential oils.
🌿 Recipes with Lovage
🍲 Vegetable Soup with Lovage
A traditional, colorful, and fresh soup where vegetables blend harmoniously with the intense and unmistakable aroma of lovage. Light, nourishing, and perfect for any season, this recipe brings authentic flavor to your plate!
🛒 Ingredients (4 servings):
🥕 2 carrots
🥔 2 potatoes
🧅 1 onion
🫑 1 bell pepper
🧄 1 garlic clove
🍅 1 large tomato or 150 ml tomato juice
🥬 1 parsley root or parsnip
🟡 1/2 small celery root
🧂 Salt to taste
🫗 2 liters water
🍋 Lemon juice or sour borscht (to taste)
🌿 3–4 tbsp fresh chopped lovage
👩🍳 Directions:
🔪 Peel and chop the vegetables into cubes or slices.
🫗 Bring the water with a pinch of salt to a boil in a large pot.
🥕 Add carrots, celery, parsnip, and potatoes. Cook for 10–12 minutes.
🧅 Add onion, pepper, and garlic. Continue boiling until all veggies are tender.
🍅 Add chopped tomato or tomato juice. Boil for 5 more minutes.
🍋 Adjust the sourness with lemon juice or borscht.
🌿 Turn off the heat and stir in plenty of chopped lovage.
🥄 Cover and let sit for 5–10 minutes to blend flavors.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve hot with homemade bread and a hot chili pepper 🌶️ for a comforting Romanian lunch.
🥗 Tomato Salad with Lovage
A simple yet surprisingly flavorful salad, where the sweet-tart taste of tomatoes is enhanced by the vibrant green aroma of lovage. Perfect as a side for roasts, grilled dishes, or a refreshing summer snack!
🛒 Ingredients (2 servings):
🍅 3–4 ripe tomatoes
🧅 1/2 red onion (optional)
🌿 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh lovage
🫒 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
🍋 1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
👩🍳 Directions:
🔪 Slice or cube the tomatoes.
🧅 If using, slice the onion thinly.
🌿 Add chopped lovage to the tomatoes and onion.
🫒 Drizzle with olive oil and 🍋 lemon juice.
🧂 Season with salt and pepper, mix gently.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve immediately with toasted bread 🍞, salty cheese 🧀, or grilled foods 🍖. Great with mashed beans or vegetable spreads too.
🍗 Chicken Stew with Lovage (Ostropel)
A traditional Romanian dish full of comfort and flavor, where tender chicken is coated in a garlicky tomato sauce enriched with fresh lovage. The lovage adds a bold, citrusy note, elevating this classic into a memorable dish.
🛒 Ingredients (4 servings):
🍗 4 chicken thighs (upper/lower)
🧄 4–5 garlic cloves, crushed
🍅 400 ml tomato juice or purée
🧅 1 small onion, finely chopped
🌿 2–3 tbsp fresh chopped lovage
🫒 2–3 tbsp oil
💧 100 ml water
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
👩🍳 Directions:
🔥 Heat oil in a pot and lightly brown chicken pieces on both sides.
🧅 Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
🍅 Pour in tomato juice and water, then add garlic.
🧂 Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer on low heat for 25–30 minutes until chicken is tender.
🌿 Stir in chopped lovage and cook uncovered for 2–3 more minutes.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve warm with mashed potatoes 🥔, golden polenta 🌽, or fresh bread 🍞 to soak up the sauce.
🥔 Boiled Potatoes with Lovage
A simple, classic, and refreshing side dish where boiled potatoes are dressed with oil, lemon juice, and fresh chopped lovage. A healthy and light choice to pair with meats, fish, or enjoy on its own!
🛒 Ingredients (4 servings):
🥔 1 kg firm white potatoes
🌿 2–3 tbsp chopped fresh lovage
🫒 2–3 tbsp olive or sunflower oil
🍋 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
👩🍳 Directions:
🔥 Boil potatoes in their skins in salted water for 20–25 minutes.
🥔 Let them cool slightly, peel, and cut into medium cubes.
🫒 Mix with oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice (if using).
🌿 Sprinkle with lovage and mix gently to avoid mashing the potatoes.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve warm or at room temperature with chicken stew 🍗, baked fish 🐟, or fried eggs 🍳.
🧀 Cheese Spread with Lovage
A savory, aromatic spread where creamy cheese is enhanced with fresh lovage, garlic, and a touch of yogurt. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or party platters. Easy to make and freshens every bite of bread!
🛒 Ingredients (4 servings):
🧀 200 g cottage cheese or mild feta
🍶 2–3 tbsp creamy yogurt
🌿 1–2 tbsp finely chopped fresh lovage
🧄 1 garlic clove, crushed (optional)
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
👩🍳 Directions:
🥄 Mash the cheese in a bowl using a fork or mixer.
🍶 Add yogurt and mix until smooth.
🌿 Stir in chopped lovage and garlic (if used).
🧂 Season to taste and mix well.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve on toast 🍞, flatbread, or crackers 🧇. Great with raw veggies 🥕🥒 as a healthy appetizer.
🍳 Omelet with Lovage
A simple, flavorful breakfast where fluffy eggs are scented with fresh lovage, delivering a bold, garden-fresh taste. Perfect for a quick, satisfying morning meal!
🛒 Ingredients (1 serving):
🥚 3 eggs
🌿 1–2 tbsp finely chopped fresh lovage
🧈 1 tbsp butter or oil
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
👩🍳 Directions:
🥚 Beat eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
🌿 Stir in the chopped lovage.
🔥 Heat butter or oil in a non-stick pan.
🍳 Pour in egg mixture and cook over medium heat, lifting the edges to allow uncooked egg underneath.
🔄 When nearly set, fold or leave flat as preferred.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve hot with toast 🥖, fresh tomatoes 🍅, or a seasonal salad. Delicious with crumbled cheese on top!
🥄 Sour Cream Sauce with Lovage
A smooth, creamy, and aromatic sauce where sour cream is enriched with lovage’s intense flavor. Ideal with plain potatoes, boiled meats, or sautéed veggies. Quick, tasty, and elegant!
🛒 Ingredients (2–3 servings):
🥛 200 ml cooking cream (15–20% fat)
🌿 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh lovage
🧈 1 tbsp butter
🧄 1 garlic clove (optional), crushed
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
💧 1–2 tbsp water or broth (if needed for thinning)
👩🍳 Directions:
🔥 Melt butter in a small saucepan.
🧄 Add garlic (if using) and sauté for 30 seconds.
🥛 Add cream and heat gently, without boiling.
🌿 Stir in lovage and season. Thin with water/broth if too thick.
⏱️ Simmer for 2–3 minutes, remove from heat, and let rest 2 minutes before serving.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve warm over boiled potatoes 🥔, steamed veggies 🥦, or roasted chicken 🍗. Can also be a dip for baked veggies or veggie patties.
🐟 Fish with Lovage Sauce
A light, refined dish full of fresh flavor, where tender fish fillets are paired with a creamy lovage sauce. The combo of delicate fish and bold lovage makes for a tasty and healthy dinner.
🛒 Ingredients (2 servings):
🐟 2 white fish fillets (cod, trout, zander, etc.)
🍋 Juice of ½ lemon
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
🫒 2 tbsp olive oil
🧈 1 tbsp butter
For the sauce:
🥛 150 ml cooking cream
🌿 2 tbsp finely chopped lovage
🧄 1 garlic clove, crushed
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
💧 1 tbsp broth or water (optional)
👩🍳 Directions:
🧂 Season fish with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
🔥 Heat oil and butter in a pan. Fry fish 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
🍽️ Transfer to a warm plate and loosely cover.
For the sauce:
🧄 In the same pan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
🥛 Add cream and warm gently.
🌿 Stir in lovage, season, and thin with broth/water if desired.
⏱️ Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
✅ Serving Tip: Pour warm sauce over the fish and serve with:
🥔 Boiled potatoes,
🥦 Steamed vegetables, or
🍚 Herbed rice.
🍛 Chicken Soup with Lovage
A traditional, comforting soup where tender chicken meets the freshness and unique flavor of lovage. Perfect for family lunches or chilly days.
🛒 Ingredients (4 servings):
🍗 2 chicken thighs (or breast)
🧅 1 onion
🥕 2 carrots
🥔 2 potatoes
🫑 1 bell pepper (red or yellow)
🧂 Salt and ⚫ pepper to taste
🌿 2–3 tbsp fresh chopped lovage
💧 2 liters water
🛑 Optional: 1 egg + 2 tbsp sour cream for “tempering”
👩🍳 Directions:
🍗 Wash chicken and boil in salted water. Skim off foam.
🧅 Chop onion, carrots, potatoes, and pepper.
🥕 After 20 mins of simmering, add vegetables and cook until tender.
🌿 Stir in chopped lovage and adjust seasoning.
Optional tempering:
🥚 Beat egg with sour cream in a bowl. Gradually add 2–3 ladles of hot broth while whisking.
🥣 Add to the soup, stirring quickly without boiling, for extra creaminess.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve hot with:
🥖 Fresh or toasted bread,
🌶️ Hot pepper,
🍋 and a squeeze of lemon juice.
🌽 Polenta with Cheese and Lovage
A rustic, comforting dish rooted in Romanian tradition. Soft polenta meets salty cheese and intense lovage aroma for a simple yet delicious meal—great any time of day!
🛒 Ingredients (2–3 servings):
🌽 200 g cornmeal
💧 800 ml water
🧂 Salt to taste
🧀 150 g crumbled feta or soft cheese
🌿 2 tbsp finely chopped lovage
🧈 1 tbsp butter (optional, for creaminess)
👩🍳 Directions:
💧 Boil water with a pinch of salt.
🌽 Slowly whisk in cornmeal.
🔄 Simmer on low for 15–20 mins, stirring often, until thick.
🧈 Add butter (if using) and mix.
🧀 In a bowl or plate, layer polenta, cheese, and lovage.
🔁 Repeat layers for a festive look or mix and serve simply.
✅ Serving Tip: Serve hot with:
🍳 Fried eggs,
🥛 Yogurt or buttermilk, or a spoonful of sour cream for added richness.
