RECIPE

Baby Green Salad with Chive Blossoms

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4

When chives are allowed to flower, they produce purple blossoms that make a delicate onion-flavored addition to the salad. Garlic flowers and nasturtiums make good alternatives.

You can find wasabi powder at specialty food stores, Asian markets and many supermarkets.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • BASIC-EASY
  • FAST
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1 1/2 teaspoons wasabi powder
    2. 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar mixedwith a pinch of sugar
    3. 2 tablespoons peanut oil
    4. Salt
    5. 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh chives
    6. Vegetable oil, for frying
    7. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    8. 1/2 cup ice water
    9. 1 large egg yolk
    10. 1 cup chive flowers with 1 inch of stem attached (about 2 ounces)
    11. 6 cups baby greens
    12. Freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the wasabi powder with the vinegar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of water. Whisk in the peanut oil until emulsified and season with salt. Stir in the minced chives.
  2. Heat 3/4 inch of vegetable oil in a small saucepan. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, ice water and egg yolk; the batter will be a little lumpy. Working in batches, dip one-third of the chive flowers in the batter and add them to the oil. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a rack to drain and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining chive flowers.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the greens with the wasabi dressing. Season the salad with salt and pepper and mound on 4 plates. Top the salads with the fried chive blossoms and serve immediately.


  • Published April 1997