I don't know about you but I find that the visual impact of food has a massive impact on how enthusiastic diners are about eating it? That can be a disadvantage with some of the root vegetables, as I have found over the last few weeks. If they are a fairly bland colour, the way swede or squash can be, it is harder to make them look appetising at first glance. I found warm red spices helped me with roasting vegetables last week, and when sprinkled atop my risotto they were greeted with at least an open mind by my family. This 'sprinkling' idea often works with uncooked foods too. I find that when I cook minestrone soup, if I place a couple of bowls of sprinkles on the table for people to customise their bowl, it makes for a happier crowd of eaters. For example, I chop celery leaves or loosen pesto with a little olive oil.
Likewise when serving this Moroccan soup, I omitted the chilli from the recipe, but offered a pot of chilli jam at the table. That way, people can make it as hot as they like, and it looks prettier.
Microgreens
If you a regular visitor to this blog, you will know that I have recently tried microgreens. Last week, I drilled holes in the bottom of some inexpensive plastic tubs and placed the lids underneath them to catch any water that drains out. I half filled them with compost, wet the soil and sprinkled some seeds on top. The rocket seeds germinated in just a few days. I chopped a few last night and sprinkled onto a salad. It was a good way to get an extra kick of flavour. I found that a plain salad dressing was best, so the sprinkles and dressing weren't having a flavour fight! The basil ones on the left are germinating more slowly, so we will try those later this week. Most seed suppliers will now stock microgreens (try Suttons or Thompson & Morgan online). I was advised by another supplier to harvest the whole plant, but I found it a bit too difficult to effectively clean all the soil from the roots, so I will just snip them next time as I would cress.
Salad days
On the subject of salads (I seem to be obsessed with them at the moment because the weather is becoming sunnier) I read an interesting article in Saturday's Guardian. (http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/mar/28/how-to-grow-own-salad-alys-fowler)
Alys Fowler, one of their gardening columnists, has issued a challenge: that anyone can grow great salads even if they only have room for a few pots. So sure is she that she is right, that they have offered 5 packets of seeds plus a dibber tool worth £13.44 for free. I have just completed my order, and I couldn't find a catch. I could opt out of marketing via email and I only had to pay £2.30 postage. The offer includes rocket (yum), lettuce, radish, peas and the dibber. I have to admit, that my main reason for taking up the offer is the dibber tool...who hasn't always wanted a dibber?!! Just using the word makes me feel like a proper gardener.
I can't wait to try the new seeds. If you have ever been to Wagamama (http://www.wagamama.com/our-menu/teriyaki-chicken-donburi), you'll know how good pea shoots are when sprinkled on top of any food. So fresh and fragrant. Do leave comments about your salad or sprinkling successes below.
Lisa Reid
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