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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Malabar Spinach Salad


I have been staring at the blooms of Ms Malabar Spinach every day for the past 4 days. Daily, I battle the urge to cut and munch. I told myself that I wouldn't. I told myself that I mustn't. I told myself that I shouldn't... for once eaten, I would never get to see the flowers open.

But today, the thought occurred to me that the flower buds look quite delicious. And alas... once that thought came, I was lost! All self-restraint flew out the window and my innate sense of good food took over from my innate sense of good taste. With much hungry determination, I climbed on my garden chair and completely undressed Mr Bamboo of his spinach companion.

We sat down to lunch: a refreshing salad composed of frisée salad leaves, malabar spinach leaves, feta cheese, pinapple chunks, shallot slices, topped with pink flower buds, and dressed in a lavender honey vinaigrette. We ate it with huge chunks of hearty walnut bread dipped in black pepper olive oil.

I am so satiated with flavours that I cannot even feel guilty about chopping off pretty flowers before they open up.

Postscript: A kind lady with a thriving patch of Malabar Spinach and a name that resonates of southern charm (think cotton plantations, Scarlett O'Hara, Charleston and Savannah), informs me that what I thought were flower buds, are actually flowers. They're so shy, they NEVER open. Good thing I ate them then or they would have turned into purple seeds. Thanks very much Wisteria.

Moral of the story: Always listen when your stomach growls.

8 comments:

Nome said...

Gostei muito do seu blog.
Parabéns!!!

www.pizzadigital.blogspot.com

Petunia Lee said...

Thank you Nome! I don't understand Portuguese except for the "Best Wishes" part, but I'm guessing that it's a nice thing you wrote.

Blur Ting said...

It's a pretty salad! It must be so tasty too.

Petunia Lee said...

Blur Ting, Oh yes... It was gooooooooooood!

Devi said...

I just got my Malabar seeds in the mail. Now after reading your blogg about your wonderful salad I'm ready to plan their position in the garden.
Yea Gardening.

Devi said...

Question: What are Frisee Leaves?
Thanks Devi

Devi said...

Wonderful Blog!

Petunia Lee said...

Thank you Devi! I'll upload a picture of the frisée soon. Watch for it yeah?