Editor's Note: Wen from Perfect Entertaining.com sent us
these wonderful Nasturtium recipes. She loves Nasturtiums and shared with us
that they freeze fairly well, so she grows extra. Thanks Wen!
Nasturtium Vinegar
This vinegar is always one of my most popular gifts.everyone loves how
attractive the vinegar is with a wide range of different colored nasturtium
blossoms included. The finished vinegar has a nice peppery bite and makes
an excellent ingredient to use in salad dressings, sauces, and other dishes.
1 cup nasturtium leaves, flowers, and buds
1 pint champagne, white wine, or apple cider vinegar
Place the ingredients in a clean clear glass jar or bottle. Tightly seal.
Let sit for at least 3 weeks before using. The nasturtium can remain in for
decoration, but you should make sure the vinegar always covers the flowers
or they will mold. Makes 1 pint vinegar.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Sitting Time: 3 weeks
Total Time: 3 weeks
Strawberry-Nasturtium Salad
This unique salad is filled with delightful flavor and color. The sweetness
of the strawberries is perfectly balanced by the pepperiness of the
nasturtiums and spark of the vinegar for a salad that everyone will love.
This salad should not be made too far in advance to prevent wilting of the
nasturtium blossoms.
1 pint sliced strawberries
1/3 cup nasturtium blossoms
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
2-3 tablespoons sugar
Toss together all of the ingredients. Taste the mixture, and adjust the
amount of sugar depending on how sweet the strawberries are.
Makes 4 servings.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Stuffed Nasturtiums
I love serving trays of these easy appetizers at parties. We grow a bunch
of different types of nasturtiums and use them a lot, and they are
exquisite served together. The wide range of colors makes for a great
presentation, and the mixture of flavors is actually quite tasty as well.
3 ounces softened cream cheese
1 tablespoon heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
Salt to taste
30 large nasturtium blossoms
Mix together the cream cheese, heavy cream, chives, and salt until smooth.
Spoon about a teaspoonful of the mixture into the center of each flower.
Fold the petals up around the stuffing. Chill for up to an hour before
serving. Makes 30 appetizers.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Salmon-Cucumber Stuffed Nasturtium Leaves
Nasturtium leaves are very similar to watercress leaves, and have the same
affinity for cucumber and salmon that watercress does. These little rolls
are very easy to make and offer a beautiful presentation. Homemade salmon
cream cheese can be made by mixing equal amounts of lox and softened cream
cheese.
2 ounces softened salmon cream cheese
1/4 cup finely minced cucumber
Salt to taste
20 large nasturtium leaves
20 long stemmed nasturtium blossoms
Mix together the salmon cream cheese, cucumber, and salt until smooth.
Spoon about a teaspoonful of the mixture into the center of each leaf. Roll
the leaves up into a tight roll. Wrap the blossom stems around the leaf and
tie tightly. Chill for up to an hour before serving.
Nasturtium-Lemon Butter
This butter has a light lemon flavor lightly accented with peppery
nasturtiums. It is one of my favorite herb butters for fish, chicken,
broccoli, and asparagus. It is also excellent on white bread for just a
hint of peppery citrus.
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons finely chopped nasturtium blossoms
Mix all of the ingredients well until smooth and well blended. Refrigerate
or freeze until ready to serve.
Makes 3/4 cup flavored butter.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
About the author:
Wen Zientek-Sico is a freelance writer and recipe developer specializing in
family friendly recipes. She also manages the Perfect Entertaining website
which offers great ideas for family friendly parties, dinners, recipes,
menus, decorating ideas, and much more.
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