• It is a powerful herb that can be used in friendship spells, spells to help people fall deeper into love, kitchen witchcraft, and so much more!
• Courage: Bathe in an infusion of the herb to calm your nerves and give you clarity to move for in the face of adversity
• Happiness: Add it to happiness charms to invoke instant feelings of joy.
• Forget old lovers: Pinch leaves off of the plant, smell the scent, and let the leaf drop out of your hands.
• Justice: Burn dried leaves and send intentions through the smoke that justice will be served.
• Letting Go: Burn the incense and decorate your loved one’s grave with the plant to help you let go and to help them move on.
• Love: Add it to love potions and spells to help deepen an existing relationship.
• Luck: Dress a candle or good luck charm with oregano essential oil to expedite good luck.
• Protection: Grind up dried leaves and add them to your carpet sprinkle to aid in protecting your home.
• Psychic Dreams: Tuck a few sprigs into your pillow to help conjure prophetic dreams.
• Tranquility: Keep potted plants in rooms that experience high tension. Its energy will lessen the effects of any harmful words, thoughts, and vibes.

It's often used in fresh or cooked salsa, meat mixtures for burritos and tacos, enchilada sauce, and classic braised pork. Cuban cuisine makes delicious use of this peppery herb. Mexican oregano is the key flavor in that country's famous slow-cooked ropa vieja, or braised and shredded beef.

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN with Greek Yogurt Sauce

45-50 min    5-8 Servings

Ingredients:

• 5-8 chicken thighs (Bone and skin)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 t Dijon mustard
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1 T dried oregano
• 2 t dried thyme
• 2 t dried parsley
• 2 t kosher salt
• Lemon slices or lemon zest optional

Marinade:

To make the marinade mix together oil, seasoning, mustard, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl. Another option is to purchase a premade packet of the underlined herbs and ingredients from Hoot'n Nanny Holler.  Package includes the oregano, thyme, garlic, parsley, salt, lemon and lemon zest.  Printed recipe is also included.

Put chicken in a gallon freezer bag and add the marinade.  Remove as much air as possible and seal the bag.  Put the bag of chicken in the refrigerator for at least an hour. I recommend letting marinade overnight. However, a minimum of 1 hour will work in a crunch.

 Pre-heat oven to 350*.

Transfer chicken to an oven proof dish or skillet. Pour remaining marinade over chicken. You can add lemon zest or slices of lemon on top of the chicken. Bake for 40-45 min. Baste at 20 minutes. For extra crispy chicken turn on oven broiler for the last 2-4 minutes. (165 °F).  Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

While chicken is cooking make the Greek Yogurt sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup full fat yogurt (you can substitute low fat or non-fat if you prefer)
• 1 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 T fresh lemon juice
• ½ t sea salt or kosher salt
• ¼ t garlic powder or 1 finely minced garlic clove
• 1 T water, more if needed

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.

Stir in the water. If the sauce is too thick, add more water. Thin to your desired consistency.

Season to taste.  See variations below:

VARIATIONS

• Add fresh herbs. Stir 2 tablespoons of chopped leafy herbs into this sauce for a refreshing kick. My favorite is dill, but cilantro, parsley, basil, or mint would work too. 
• Add 1 T dried herbs.  When using dried herbs, you may want to make this sauce a few hours ahead, allowing time for the herbs to hydrate and mingle.
• Give it a stronger garlic flavor by adding an additional 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

• Antioxidants: Oregano is high in antioxidants, which can help slow aging by reducing free radical damage.
• Anti-inflammatory: Oregano may help reduce inflammation.
• Antimicrobial: Oregano has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
• Digestion: Oregano may help with digestion by increasing bile flow.
• Blood sugar: Oregano may help regulate blood sugar