I think the storms have passed in your town, and everything is growing so fast it takes your breath away. Right?
Welp, that's the way it is here too.
So my thoughts have turned to flowering trees (the orange blossoms are amazing) and what to put in the garden beds.
Beyond the obvious tomatoes, I've been fascinated this year by greens and herbs, especially the ones that are expensive or rare in the market. In years past I've tried nurturing arugula, my favorite bitter green, to no avail, just wasted space and water. But in the meantime, my experimental French sorrel, the tangy green you can never find, well, it's been taking off. It grows in big bunches yearound and loves to be trimmed back.
So this year I've taken the hint from Mother Nature. I've given my hardy sorrel more space and gathered up recipes for Springtime sorrel dishes, beyond simple salads.
(And the same philosophy applies to my herbs. Are they expensive, aromatic and tough little suckers? Then are in. Tarragon is on the list. Thai basil is too. I'm on the lookout for more; suggestions welcome.)
So this spring I recommend you look for sorrel seeds or seedlings at the organic herb rack of the nursery. You won't regret it.
Here's a traditional French Sorrel soup from a French cook Eve Hill-Agnus.
You can read about Eve's love affair with sorrel here.
Classic Sorrel Soup
2 Tbs. butter or olive oil
1 large onion
2 potatoes, peeled, diced
2 cups water
1 large bunch chard, chopped
2 dozen leaves of sorrel, chopped
1 cup milk
salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg
Sauté onion and potato in butter or oil about 6 minutes. Add water, chard and sorrel and salt. After greens have wilted, simmer for 10 minutes. Puree and then return to the stove over medium heat. Stir in milk.
Season to taste with pepper, nutmeg and a little more salt. Serves 2-4.
Enjoy with grilled chicken or fish, San Francisco sourdough bread and a delicate Sauvignon Blanc.
Oh yeah, and I ended up planting that arugula again, and this really is the last time.
cheers,
Joan
4 comments:
Definitely parsley. How about a patch of lemongrass? That would grow for you. And mint! Both of them can spread if you don't keep them contained. And oregano or marjoram. Chives?
thanks Candi. Yes on the lemongrass! great for Asian soup and for tea. Parsley and oregano are too easy to buy at the store. But fresh chives would be nice. Great ideas.
Sorrel soup—now there's a new thought! Am tempted to run an experiment and ask every restaurant I walk into, "Do you have sorrel soup on the menu?" How long you reckon it would take me to get an affirmative?
Maybe sooner than you think, Andrew...this is how trends start.
Cheers!
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