Arugula question

I planted some to try in salads. Oh my it is spicy! Is there a way to prepare that will mellow it? I hate to waste it now that I grew it!

CindiLou wrote:I planted some to try in salads. Oh my it is spicy! Is there a way to prepare that will mellow it? I hate to waste it now that I grew it!

OMG I am SO with ya on this one. I didn't find it spicy, per se, but the flavor sure didn't go over well with the family today...lol.

You could maybe use a bit chopped up and added to lasagne, stir fries, curry, stew, soup or chilli con carne? If it is diluted cooked with something else it wouldn't have such a powerful taste.

Arugula is an acquired taste, I think. It's supposed to be peppery. It reminds me of a cross between Dijon mustard and radish -- after all it is in the mustard/brassica family. I like it, but not in a "regular" salad. Try pairing it with something that balances out the peppery-ness.

• Serve it as a side salad with a nice grilled steak or salmon with goat cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette
  
• Try it in place of mustard on sandwiches.
  
• In pasta or potato salad (omit or use less mustard).
  
• Use in hot pasta dishes (search for Giada De Laurentiis recipes on http://www.foodnetwork.com )
  
• Arugula Pesto (great on pizza!)
  
• Pair with fruit and fruity dressing in a salad (example recipe follows).
  

Here's my favorite arugula salad (from www.eatingwell.com ). I usually serve with a citrus vinaigrette instead of the balsamic one. And it's also good with feta or crumbled goat cheese.


Arugula & Strawberry Salad

1/2 cup chopped walnuts
4 cups baby arugula, or torn arugula leaves
2 cups sliced strawberries, (about 10 ounces)
2 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved and crumbled into small pieces (1/2 cup)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar (see **Note)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1. Toast walnuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a salad bowl; let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Add arugula, strawberries, Parmesan, pepper and salt. Sprinkle vinegar and oil over the salad; toss gently and serve at once.

**NOTE: Aged balsamic is pricey, but you can make a very good substitute by bringing 1/2 cup regular balsamic vinegar to a boil over high heat in a small skillet. Cook until the vinegar begins to thicken and become syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes.

--------------
I saw some red this morning on several of my strawberries...

pattipan

Thanks pattipan! Mustard! That is what it reminded me of! I love mustard on sandwiches...I will try some of these ideas!

I want to try this Pasta, mushroom, arugula & brie dish... sounds really good!
http://noblepig.com/2009/10/26/pasta-with-brie-mushrooms-and-arugula-2.aspx

camprn wrote:I want to try this Pasta, mushroom, arugula & brie dish... sounds really good!
http://noblepig.com/2009/10/26/pasta-with-brie-mushrooms-and-arugula-2.aspx

Oh my that looks yummy! My arugula has bolted this week due to 90+ temps. I am definitely going to save that recipe to try this fall though! Seems the time for fall planting is the third week in Aug for lettuce so arugula will go in then also! Thanks!

It is an acquired taste for many. One thing though is to pick the leave when they are little - the bigger they get, the spicier.

I planted a salad mix and harvested some this weekend. I didn't know what was what but one variety had begun to bolt and I have been pinching off little buds for the past week. Saturday I took my wife into the garden to taste and harvest what we liked. I think I have had arugula before and it wasn't bad. The stuff I had was taller than all the other lettuce and after chewing for about 5 seconds it exploded with a strong spicy mustard flavor. The kids all wanted to try it. It was sort of fun waiting for the spicy kick that seemed to take longer than you would expect and then their face changed and they spit it out. If I try growing it again I will definitely pick it earlier and I like the sandwich idea mentioned above because I love spicy mustard on my sandwiches.

The flowers on arugula are yummy too. Try those in your salad. Maybe it is an acquired taste. I love mixing it with other lettuce in my salads...

My hubby and I have found we love to use arugula in place of mustard! Especially on ham sandwiches.

The wife and I have acquired a taste for this plant over the last month and love mixing it with our lettuce in salads. I do plan on trying the mustard replacement on my next sammy.

My chickens seem to be enjoying the flowers I have been pinching.