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Amazing Organic Herbal Salads

Ruth Bass has covered travel and foodit to a falafel in place of hummus, or
for many years as a columnist and formerspoon it over cooked fish.
editor for The Berkshire Eagle, a dailyBass has never grown dill inside her
Massachusetts newspaper. An avid organichome, but it's a favorite in her outdoor
gardener and cook, she was a natural toorganic garden. Once you plant it,
write "Herbal Salads" -- one in a serieshowever, be prepared for it to migrate
of cookbooks that teach readers how toto other parts of your garden.
incorporate fresh herbs into a variety"We really have to watch it in the
of creative salads, soups, main dishesspring," she says, "because it has
and desserts.seeded itself in the big vegetable
"I was a cook and herb user for a longgarden. I have to make sure my husband
time before I wrote my first cookbook,"doesn't plow it up! We have dill growing
she tells Organic Authority.among the beets and carrots. It's about
Bass's recipes are ideal for those of us4 feet tall and lovely to use. It's a
who buy natural and organic foods, asbeautiful plant when it's tall and
well as home organic gardeners who plantswaying in the breeze." Ensalada de
their own organic herbs. During theNaranjas (Orange Salad) The sweetness of
winter months, when your herb garden isnavel oranges and the crispness of
in "hibernation," you should have nocucumbers put fruit and vegetables in
trouble finding quality herbs at yourhappy combination in this traditional
local organic food store.Mexican salad.
"Markets are good now -- much betterMakes 4 servings 1 head curly endive or
than they were 10 years ago, when Iapproximately 12 ounces fresh spinach 3
first started doing my books," Bassnavel oranges, peeled and cut into thin
says. "It wasn't that easy to walk intoslices 1 large cucumber, unpeeled,
a supermarket in a relatively smallsliced very thin 1 tablespoon finely
community and find them. In fact,chopped fresh oregano 3 scallions, cut
they're so good in stores now that Iinto 1/4-inch pieces 1/4 cup olive oil 1
don't really bother to grow them in the2 cup vinegar Freshly ground black
house during the winter. You'll findpepper 1. Arrange the washed and drained
small quantities in markets, so they'reendive or spinach in a shallow bowl.
always fresh, and the selection is quite2. Place the orange and cucumber slices
good." Bass shares two easy recipes --in a decorative pattern over the greens.
"Cacik" and "Ensalada de Naranjas" -- inSprinkle the oregano and scallions on
this article. They are internationaltop.
salads (one Middle Eastern, one Mexican)3. Mix the oil, vinegar and pepper to
that call for fresh vegetables, fruittaste, and pour over the salad.
and herbs."I came across this recipe a long time
Cacik Pronounced "jah-jik," cacik is aago," Bass says. "I don't remember if it
Middle Eastern specialty made with lotswas in Mexico or in a cookbook, and we
of yogurt and dill. To vary the recipe,were having a Mexican Christmas party.
add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin to theWe buy long English cucumbers, which are
yogurt mixture or increase the dill.dependably good. In the summertime, we
Makes 6 to 8 servings 2 cups plainhope to have them in the garden." As for
yogurt 1 tablespoon finely snipped freshthe oregano, Bass grows both Greek and
dill or 1 teaspoon ground dried dill 2golden varieties.
to 3 large garlic cloves, chopped and"I really love Greek oregano," she says.
crushed 1 medium cucumber, peeled and"You could also use marjoram in this
diced 3 to 4 parsley sprigs 1. Mixrecipe, which is a first cousin to
yogurt, dill and garlic in a glass ororegano. I often use golden oregano
ceramic bowl. Cover and refrigerate forbecause it has a beautiful color. I've
at least 3 hours.come to like it in the garden. It has
2. Gently stir in the cucumber piecesvery pretty purple blossoms that grow
just before serving. Garnish withtaller than you really ought to let an
parsley sprigs.herb grow!" For more recipes and
Bass received this recipe from herinsights from Ruth Bass, check our
sister, who lived in Turkey and Yemenorganic blog (updated every weekday) the
for a while. It's normally served as aweek of Dec. 11. Be sure to post your
side relish, or you can roll it in acomments after you try the featured
tortilla, she says. Our suggestion: Adddishes.



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