This weekend, I found some perky little bunches of Purslane at the Hollywood Farmer's Market. I've been eager to make a Purslane Potato Salad recipe I saw years ago in Saveur magazine, but have since misplaced the issue (sadly).
Purslane is a green herb with ample, oval leaves and a mild bite. If Mache and Argula had a baby girl, they would name it Purslane. There's a chewy depth in its texture and it's visually appealing with abundant uniform leaves. Plus, Purslane offes an added bonus of being one of the most nutritionally rich leafy greens out there with vitamin E, vitamin C, beta carotene, protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids.
Culling from a few recipes online and my memory of the photo published in Saveur, I took a stab at my own version -- with excellent results.
+RECIPE
Purslane Potato Salad
(Adapted from YankeeMagazine.com, WildManSteveBrill.com, and a fleeting memory of a Saveur article)
3 lbs Fingerling Potatoes, such as Russian Banana, Red Thumb, French Fingerling, Ruby Crescent
4 Baby Spring Onions (scallion size, thinly sliced)
2 Celery ribs, thinly sized on the bias
2 cups Purslane leaves
Dressing
4 oz. Plain Yogurt
1 Heaping Tablespoon of Coarse Grain Mustard (Moutarde a l'Ancienne)
1 Tablespoon Sherry Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Boil the fingerling potatoes in salted water until tender. While they are cooking, combine the spring onions, celery and purslane leaves in a large salad bowl. Drain potatoes and run under cool water to cool down. Let potatoes rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. Slice some fingerling potatoes in half lengthwise and some into 1/2-inch discs. Add slighly warmer than room temperature potatoes to the bowl. The heat of the potatoes should make the purslane leaves wilt a bit.
Dressing
In a non-reactive bowl, place yogurt, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix with fork until well-combined.
Pour dressing into the salad bowl. Toss until ingredients are well covered. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Aw, yeah! Street Weed! Only with a high-class name. Next time I'm pulling this stuff out of the sidewalk - I'll think...lunchtime!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, that purslane.
I remember the recipe from Saveur, I think I actually still have it someplace. The secret ingredient was honey. (just a tablespoon though) that balanced out well the slight bitter meaty leaves of the puslane.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try it again today!
Thanks for the honey tip, Danger. Let us know if you can fish it out that article. It's high time for purslane again!
ReplyDelete