"To make a good salad is to be a brilliant diplomatist - the problem is entirely the same in both cases: to know exactly how much oil one must put with one's vinegar." Oscar Wilde
If it is the case that salad and diplomacy have much in common, then I would say that salad, like negotiation, is most interesting when it brings some spice without being bitter.
Here are two of my favorite greens that I have growing in my garden at the moment. They have both been adding great flavor and interest to my daily salads.
“Wrinkled, Crinkled, Crumpled Cress,” is, hands down, my favorite salad green. This peppery green was bred by Frank Morton, organic farmer and owner of Wild Garden Seed, in Oregon. His prized creation is a cross between “Persian” and “Curly” cress. The Wild Garden Seed catalogue boasts of the “unexpected heft and toothsomeness” of this spirited green.
A stand out for sure, it first showed up in my garden, as one of a dozen greens growing mixed together in the same row. I had no idea what it was, but I loved how it perked up my salads, adding a spicy flair. I took a picture of it, and then spent hours pursuing seed catalogues and garden blogs to figure out what it was. Thank goodness I did! This year, I dedicated a whole row to this unique green. You can order Certified Organic “Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled Cress” from Wild Garden Seed, Territorial Seed, or Botanical Interests.
Recently, a fellow gardener was admiring the tall, colorful, stalk of green-purple leaves growing in the middle of my garden. “It’s a red kale,” I told him. “Oh,” he sighed, looking disappointed, “I guess kale is an acquired taste,” he said, dropping the leaves from his hand. I guess kale doesn’t have the best reputation! This variety of kale will change your mind. It is so tender and sweet that I have yet to cook any of mine, and have been enjoying it raw in my salad.
You can find me talking more about my favorite salad greens, here, along with a recipe for a great brunch salad of greens, bacon and poached egg. What are your favorite greens to add to a salad?
I am a fan of Botanical Interests seed company. A family owned company, they offer unique, high quality, organic and untreated garden seeds. They have over 500 varieties, 140 of which are certified organic. All of their seed varieties are untreated, none are GMO's. Perfect for novice gardeners, their seed packets contain way more information than other companies provide. I will continue to host a link to their site, as an affiliate, so that readers can link to their on-line catalog.
2 comments:
I can not wait till our spinach is up! Or maybe I'll just poach an egg on some toast tomorrow!
One of my favorite salad greens is wild arugula, not as original as the kale you have in the garden, hand tossed with olive oil, sea salt, and topped with an egg over easy and foggy morning cheese. My mouth is watering. I'll now have to consider adding bacon. Thanks for the inspiration.
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