Herbal Salad Sensations

Herbal Salad Sensations

When fresh herbs come to mind, we typically think of only using them to season tomato sauces, iced teas, and grilled or baked entrees. Now step out of that box. This is a salad issue, after all, isn't it? And what do most herbs consist of? Leaves! Beautiful, flavorful leaves.

You could base an entire salad around a blend of leafy lettuce and herb leaves. Some herbal leaves are just too overpowering in taste or texture to be used in quantity. These work well just as accents to give the salad pizzazz. Then, come the flowers. For stunning, exotic looking salads, toss in a few colorful edible flowers. They will not only add amazing beauty, but they will also create fun flavor and textural impressions. The following lists will help you choose appropriate herbs for any salad sensation you wish to create:

Leaves for Salad Foundations

Angelica
Basil
Chervil
Cilantro
Dill
Fennel
Lovage (celery flavored)
Marjoram
Mint
Nasturtium
Parsley
Purslane
Sage
Salad Burnet
Salad Rocket (Arugula)
Sorrel
Sweet Cicely

Leaves for Salad Accents

Anise
Anise hyssop
Bee Balm (or Bergamot)
Borage (cucumber flavor)
Caraway
Catnip
Chives
Hyssop
Lemon verbena (fruit salad)
Landcress
Tarragon
Thyme

Edible Flowers for Beauty

Bee balm (or Bergamot)
Borage
Calendula
Chives
Hyssop
Nasturtium
Violet

* DVO welcomes your kitchen hints and cooking or nutrition questions! Email us and we'll post your hints and Q/A's in upcoming newsletters! *