Summer Salad with Edible Flowers & Basil Vinaigrette - By Mary Sheehan
Ingredients:
Edible Flowers that can be used: marigolds, chive flower, nasturtium
(flowers and leaves) and mustard leaf flower. Selection of Lettuce,
Radishes
Chives
Beetroot
Local goat cheese
Basil Vinaigrette
2 cups of extra virgin olive oil
a big handful of fresh basil
Juice of 1 large lemon
1 tbl. of honey
1 Tbl. dijon mustard
a sprinkling of sea salt
Directions:
This almost looks too good to eat! A fresh salad picked minutes before from
your garden truly sums up the joys of summer. Ive lived in Ireland for
6 years and all of the summers have been rainy. It seems, however, that this
season has been a little sunnier. Here I go, so Irish, talking about the weather!
For Irish gardeners and farmers, its a challenge to grow a variety of
greens, veg and flowers to eat in June. Having a polytunnel helps , especially
for a good mix of lettuce. At Boghill the greens are under cover but the flowers,
radishes, chives and herbs are thriving under the ever changing Irish skies.
The edible flowers in this beautiful salad of lettuce, radishes, chives and
beetroot are marigolds, chive flower, nasturtium (flowers and leaves) and mustard
leaf flower.To top it off add a tangy local goat cheese and top with a basil
vinaigrette. Your guests will surely be impressed and whether its a soft
rain falling or a lashing wind with the kind of rain that dosent hit
the ground (more weather talk!) the colors will bring light and a smile to your
summer day!
Basil Vinaigrette
In a blender combine 2 cups of extra virgin olive oil, a big handful of fresh
basil, a squeeze of 1 large lemon, 1 tbl. of honey, 1 Tbl. dijon mustard and
a sprinkling of sea salt. Blend until all ingredients are thoroughly pureed.
Enjoy.