Spicy Soba and Watercress Salad
3 tbsp Tamari or any soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp spicy chili garlic sauce (you can find this in most Asian markets)
1 prepared package buckwheat soba noodles
1 bunch washed watercress, patted dry
In a large bowl combine the Tamari, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce. Boil the soba noodles for 8 minutes and rinse with cold water. Toss together with the washed and dried watercress. Serve with lightly salted and sauteed tofu.
Watercress
"Hey, that lettuce still has the roots!" shrieked the cute little kid running around in Whole Foods on Sunday while his parents paid him no attention. His adorable voice and excitement about "roots on the lettuce" forced me to forgive his little body running into my cart about 15 times. I wonder if he was planted by the produce staff because this shopper purchased a bunch of the rooted lettuce.
Well, it's not quite lettuce, it's watercress but it is leafy, crispy, green, and really good for you. Watercress contains huge amounts of iron, calcium and folic acid (bingo for pregnant women!), in addition to loads of vitamins A and C. It has a slightly peppery taste that pairs beautifully with grainy flavors and soft cheeses if you do dairy.
Curiosity got the best of me this evening so when I cut the roots off, I decided to put them in a bowl of water just to see what will happen. Will it grow? Will it start to smell and I'll have to compost it? Will horrifying fruit flies move in? We'll have to just wait and see!
4 comments:
Keep me posted on the "growing" conditions of your watercress. Didn't know they come root bound :)
What does watercress *taste* like? I have always wondered this. Its not available here and neither are easily accessible garden seeds. Is it peppery, is it bitter? Wattercress and blackberries are on my "must taste" list that I will probably never get to fulfill.
I tried your method (enwater-ing the roots after decapitating the tops) with a rosemary herb I got once on clearance at the co-op. ANd I am happy to say I have a cozy little rosemary plant growing in my laundry room now (the only room in my house with a decent south facing window). Worked for me! Let me know if it works for you too, as I've often seen "butter" lettuces sold this way at the superstore where I shop.
Hi Twyla,
Watercress is a little peppery, like a traditional red radish. I hope that you can try some. Watch for it at your local market. I believe that it is very difficult to grow because it requires a moving water source, like a stream. Depending on where you live though, you may be able to grow blackberries. Blackberry brambles are fairly low maintenence - I don't do anything with mine and they produce berries each year. Congrats on your successful rosemary growth - you should try some other herbs too! Good luck!
Hi Leigh,
The watercress sprouted two leaves and then promptly died :( From what I've read it requires a moving water source and is usually grown near a stream or river. So... back to the market for me!
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