The possums have not cottoned on to this tasty addition to my garden. They manage to eat everything else but I think have not (yet) worked out how spicy and fresh this is, perhaps they prefer the young leaves out of the center of my succulents :(I sprinkled a few seeds onto the soil outside my kitchen door a month ago and now I have a dark green, peppery spiced hedge.
I made a lazy salad tonight from the rocket and a few other bits in the fridge. A big day in regards to work so I felt I deserved the decadence of some cooked king prawns from a local fish monger.
The highlight of the salad was a fresh nam prik style Thai dressing. Balancing the richness of the prawns and avocado the dressing livened up what would otherwise be a boring, if perfect warm weather salad, especially with a glass of Eden valley riesling.When I think about this salad though, I realise what an Aussie salad it is ... smart fusion, no confusion, just great simple produce served fresh and alive on the palate.
Jack
I love home grown ANYTHING, I think I will throw a few seeds down, you have inspired me. I do so miss my garden! Anyway my nice big balconey will accomodate a few pots and rocket will grown anywhere so off I go... Vida x x
ReplyDeleteOh what a magnificent Spring we're having. Isn't it inspiring for salad? It's lucky for you that the possums don't have a peppery palate ;) The Rocket looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the Nam Prik dressing. I made an Asian coleslaw with some yesterday and loaded the bowl with coriander, mint, crushed peanuts, carrot, cucumber and of course some crunchy cabbage. My last minute crazy touch is some crushed 2 minute noodles and fried shallots to give it more depth of texture.
That salad looks great! what was the recipe for the dressing, if you dont mind???
ReplyDeletemmm it does. I love home grown produce, but unfortunately this year I don't have the garden going. I will really have to work on revamping a small patch and planting some tomatoes, peppers, carrots and lettuce. The sweet flavours of home grown tomatoes and the crisp freshness of rocket and home grown salad cannot be compared to anything you get at the grocers. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks all, its fun our these things can come together, like your example Sticky... inspiration takes hold and some pantry ingredients become something interesting.
ReplyDeleteVida, my rocket has been totally negliected and is still going crazy, I didn't even do what it said on the pack I literally just tossed the seeds on the soil. I am as far from a gardener as you could get!
Ran, no problem... the nam prik (nam roughly meaning dip or sauce and prik meaning chilli) I made was VERY basic, just a whole hot red chilli, (the small dangerous ones), pounded in a mortar and pestle with a clove of garlic, a good teaspoon of palm sugar grated (or use brown sugar), and then equal parts fish sauce and lime juice.
It gets hotter the longer it sits, so beware! You should be able to taste the typical Thai flavours, hot, sour, sweet and salty.
Jack
Thanks for that! The internet said stuff about shrimp paste and other 'pastes' but i am always a little wary using stuff with miscallaneous ingredients. I make something similar with smoked trout but i like the idea of prawns...
ReplyDeleteJack, you inspired me and I threw a few basil and rocket seeds into my pots. I often dig in my veg peelings as I don't have a compost now that we are in an apartment. I get the Italian seeds from Clayton Road Deli and they are really the best. I also get my cheese, pasta dura bread, walnuts and mortadella from them. Their turnover is so great that I have never had anything but fresh produce. They are great at chrissy and easter as they import delicious things from Italy and at the best prices. Type OO flour is dirt cheap as is the risotto rice and balsamic, cripes I think they better pay me a commission. Enough ramblings, this should have been a post on my blog... maybe tomorrow... Vida x x x
ReplyDeleteYum!
ReplyDeleteHey vida, and hey everyone, on the topic of flour, does anyone know where to buy bakers flour that is rye or wholegrain. All we can find is strong white flour and we want to make browner breads...
ReplyDeletesorry to change topics jack, vidas comment inspired me...
Hi Ran, not sure where you live but I shop at Carlisle Street and the Coles there (I am pretty certain) had it the other day. I will check again in the morning and let you know for certain. The other option that comes to mind is the health shops, again the one in Carlisle Street has been great for me, they had at least five types of sugar when I was on a quest the other day. Hope it's been a help. Vida x x x
ReplyDeleteJack, thanks for playing host! x
Thanks for helping Vida, knew you would have an answer.
ReplyDeleteCooking that requires attention to a recipe I find distracting, so bread is not really for me, hence I wouldn't have clue (but it does ring a bell that Coles on Carlisle has some options).
Happy baking Ran!
Jack
thanks guys!
ReplyDeletei know its 930 in the morning but seeing the picture of that salad has made me hungry for it again!