Asparagus Salad with Wild Herbs and Baby Greens

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On this 45th Earth Day anniversary I have a little gift for you - a very special salad recipe that celebrates both, the sacred wilderness of the forest and the earth conscious, sustainable organic farming.


I foraged the wild herbs short before the salad was made and tossed them together with organic green asparagus and organic baby greens. The choice of dressing for this salad was very easy. I mixed two seldom used oils with lime juice, and used my own lemon and pepper seasoning. I hope that this recipe will inspire you to your own wild creations. 


Ingredients: 

for the salad
  • 1 cup foraged wild herbs: lamium, dandelion, sorrel 
  • 2 cups baby greens: spinach, Swiss chard, arugula
  • 8-10 spears of green asparagus 


for the dressing
  • 5 Tbsp cold pressed camelina oil (Camelina sattiva also known as the gold of pleasure or wild flax)
  • 5 Tbsp culinary grade cold pressed evening primrose oil 
  • freshly pressed juice of 5 key limes
  • 1/2 tbs ground dried lemon peel
  • pinch Celtic sea salt
  • freshly ground mixed peppercorns (white, green, black and pink)


Method:
  • In a small bowl whisk the dressing using all the dressing ingredients. Set aside and keep it ready.
  • Toss washed wild herbs and baby green into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Wash the asparagus and cut off the tops. Toss the tops into a bowl with the dressing and let them sit for a while. In meantime, cut off the hard, woody ends of asparagus spears. Using a vegetable peeler "shave" the asparagus lengthwise. Toss the shavings into a bowl with the salad dressing and mix well. 
  • Add asparagus tops and shaving into the salad bowl and mix gently without crushing the greens.
  • Arrange the salad on individual plates  and enjoy it in good company!


Tip: If you have never picked wild herbs before and are not sure what to pick, take a course in foraging. To be on a save side use cultivated herbs in the mix. I am also aware that you may not be able to find the "exotic" oils in your health food store. Use a cold pressed oil of your choice, but if you have a chance, explore online options a try the unique camelina oil. It is incredibly rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids and has an interestingly "earthy" taste.


Hug a tree today and remember that "We didn't inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We borrowed it from our children." (Native American Proverb)

~ Wishing everyone a wonderful Earth Day ~

In radiant health - passionately raw - Dominique

Dominique Allmon©2015