Herbs for Monkey Bread

Rosemary

• Rosemary comes from the mint family and is native to the Mediterranean region. It has a bold, woodsy, pine-like flavor that won't be overshadowed by other strong flavors, and can hold its own when used in combination with other herbs or spices. You can even add a little rosemary as a complementary flavor in sweet monkey bread.

Thyme

• Thyme is another herb in the mint family that originates from southern Europe. It's a delicately flavored herb that comes in a multitude of varieties such as coconut, lemon, lime, orange, caraway, hyssop and oregano. You can put dried thyme leaves in a mortar and crush them together with olive oil, sea salt and garlic, and then brush the flavors on top of the monkey bread before baking.

Dill

• Dill is related to parsley and can be found in northern Europe and Russia. It's one of the few herbs, when freshly dried, that imparts both a sweet and tart flavor. As the dried herb ages, it loses its sweetness but retains a mild vinegar-like taste. The dried leaves have a more complex flavor than the plant's seed, and are a better choice for breads. You can combine dill with other herbs or pair it with a mild cheese and mix it directly into the monkey bread dough.

Chives

• Chives, also known as onion grass, are from the onion family. The plant has two botanical origins: central Europe and central Asia. The onion chive is the European plant, while the garlic chive is Asian plant. Neither type is as potent as onions or garlic, but both plants are reminiscent of both. It's best to use fresh chives in monkey bread, since dried chives don't retain much flavor. Finely chop the plant's long, tube-like leaves, and work them into the dough with some cheddar cheese.

Basil

• Basil is in the mint family of plants and is native to India. It's a highly aromatic herb that tastes clean, sweet and slightly bitter. Although basil isn't commonly used in breads, it can be a refreshing surprise in monkey bread, especially because it combines nicely with sun dried tomatoes, garlic and nuts. You can puree fresh basil with olive oil and roasted garlic and fold it into the monkey bread dough.