What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Fab Foodstuff: Herbed Watercress Pistachio Salad! Everyone knows leafy greens can supercharge your diet. But not everyone is crazy about kale and arugula. Ask my husband. The strong pungent flavors of the former can step aside, as far as I’m concerned. Watercress is the new sheriff in town. Its delicate leaves reveal a slight hint of horseradish or wasabi, but with a crispier texture. To combat the bitter tang, simply add a nice citrus fruit along with the ancient royal pistachio nut. Did you know the Queen of Sheba found pistachios so delightful, she declared it was forbidden for commoners to harvest pistachio nuts for themselves? Alas, I digress. Watercress is the star attraction. Rich in vitamins, iron, calcium, and folic acid, its roots thrive in creek bottoms where clear running water encourages natural growth. Most farmers cultivate it in very wet ground providing constant moisture. Ask around at the Farmers Markets. It sells quickly to those who desire it.
HERBED WATERCRESS PISTACHIO SALAD
Ingredients:
1 bunch watercress, roots trimmed
8 leaves fresh basil
8-10 leaves fresh mint
20 leaves Mexican tarragon
1/2 cup mandarin orange slices
1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pistachio nuts, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 drop orange extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
Arrange watercress, basil, mint, and Mexican tarragon on a platter. Tuck mandarin orange slices and red onion pieces throughout. Sprinkle toasted pistachio nuts over all. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, orange extract, sea salt, and pepper. Slowly add olive oil while continuing to whisk. Dressing will emulsify. Before serving, drizzle salad dressing evenly over salad.
Mr. LBD is exactly the same about greens! He calls me the Kale Queen. Can’t wait to try this on him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay! I’m doing the “Happy Dance”. 👏👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
SOUNDS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much. 🙏🏻
LikeLike
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for “Paying It Forward”. 🌟✨💫
LikeLike
Sounds very interesting, and looks great! Will give it a chance, even i hever ate watercress before. 😉 Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an adventure in eating. lol 👀🍃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really Gail! But its healthy, and since some month i am on a trip of healthy eating. Life is to short eating the super processed sugar meals of our industrial production. You are a gem presenting wonderful recipes. Thank you so much. Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks delicious. Love such fresh colorful salad. (I’m also not a kale fan!) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, kale falls down the list for me as well. Too many other options. 🌿🌱🍃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Summer, thy name is salads.
I was just talking about pistachios recently. They have amazing versatility, so I can understand how the Queen of Sheba could get possessive about the stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We must have a tinge of royalty in our blood. lol 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to think so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love watercress but rarely see it. Love arugula (or rocket) but NOT kale! It is just for cattle. 🐮🐮
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kale, if I’m not mistaken, used to be the decorative greens they put around the outside of buffets. lol 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love nuts in a salad but never used pistachios.. fantastic..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa! I see pistachios in your future, Lisa. 👁👁🍃
LikeLike
Sounds absolutely delightful! I never think of watercress, but it is so lovely and perfect for a summer salad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alas, it’s growing season is now past where I live, which is why I grab it when I can. 🌿🌱🍃
LikeLiked by 1 person