Mint

Harvest your own. You can grow this herb indoors or outdoors with little effort. Plant the red-veined variety because its flavor is more concentrated.

Tender young leaves are what you'll want to pick. Of course, the greener the better; yellow leaves are jaundiced as far as we're concerned.

According to Southern lore, the best mint grows next to a hound dog's water bowl because spilled (or slobbered) water keeps the ground moist.

Editor's note: We're currently investigating the bit about the hound dog's water bowl. Maria, who is in charge of HotWired security, has kindly volunteered for the task.