Arugula has become a food celebrity recently, and with good reason: it is high in iron and Vitamins A & C, lends a delightfully aromatic taste to dishes, and is easy and quick to grow at home. It is also widely available in grocery stores and farmers markets, and has become nearly synonymous with the American Food Revolution thanks in part to David Kamp's book on the topic entitled, The United States of Arugula. But what can arugula do for you, besides make you sound like you have read the latest issue of Food + Wine magazine? Plenty.
Originally collected in the wild, arugula has been pepping up Mediterranean dishes for centuries. Its bold flavor adds charm and authenticity to North African, Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine in various ways. Because it can be eaten in many different stages--young, as a small sprout or salad leaf, and as it matures in a nice sauté, it is versatile in the kitchen. It was even considered an aphrodisiac by the ancient Romans and Egyptians. The accuracy of that cure-all is debatable, but even if it doesn't spice up your bedroom, it can still spice up your kitchen. Here are a few ways to integrate it into quick and easy healthful meals.
Liven Up Pizza & Pasta
Fresh, young arugula is a perfect ingredient for topping pizza, hot out of the oven. Add it just before eating to keep it crisp and cool. Its wonderfully mild bitterness cuts through the rich mozzarella and adds a springy dose of greens--consider it salad pizza at its best. Toss it into an oil-dressed pasta dish just before serving to up the nutrition and add a dose of tasty bite.
Punch up Pesto
Knock your boring pesto recipe out of rotation in favor of a jazzy arugula version. Replace basil with young arugula leaves, and mix in a food processor with garlic, walnuts, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Add some Parmesan or Romano cheese for an extra savory flavor. This is especially tasty and smart when basil is out of season and what you find in the supermarket looks sad or travel-weary.
Add Zip to Creamy Salads
Arugula is the perfect answer to the same old boring potato, egg, chicken or tuna salad. It blends nicely with cool dishes and its peppery impact is a welcome addition to any mayonnaise-based mixture. For the freshest tasting results, add it just before serving. If it's a dish that will wind up in the fridge as leftovers, consider adding it to individual servings as needed.
Smash Your Old Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potato recipes are delicate heirlooms that many feel are too sacred to alter. After all, what would Thanksgiving be without them? Go out on a limb next time you mash and toss some arugula into the finished product. Stirred in at the last minute, it will take your spuds from old to bold. Make sure you tell Great Aunt Patty why they taste so good this year.
After you discover for yourself the fabulous range of arugula in the kitchen, it will surely be on your plate every week. From a salad starter to a pizza topper, and possibly the secret ingredient to an amorous evening, arugula deserves its place in your garden and refrigerator. Experiment and see how easy it is to update your old recipes and quick meals. Now you can defend this multi-talented green the next time someone calls it just another passing trend.
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