I went on the internet to identify a weed that has taken over my garden and found that I have been missing a really great wild vegetable, Purslane. Chefs in NY are paying $7 / lb. for the stuff. Google for it and you can find out all about it and the great health benefits from it. Here is how I prepared it last night:
bunch of brocoli
fist full of purslane
half a large hot dried chili
3 cloves garlic
olive oil
salt
Separate the brocoli florets from the stems into bite size and slice the stems bite size. Put the stem pieces in the bottom of a sauce pan and the florets on top of the stems. With just enough water to come to the top of the layer of florets, bring to boil, lower heat to rapid simmer for 5 minutes from the time it starts to boil. Quickly remove from heat, drain and run cold water over the brocoli. Drain and set aside keeping warm.
Crumble the dried chili and saute it in enough olive oil to cover it for 5 - 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, remove the roots, if any are attached, from the purslane and chop it into pieces 2 or 3 inches long. (This isn't rocket science, folks.)
When the chili has simmered long enough to spice up the olive oil, drain it through a strainer and discard the chili.
Mince the garlic and add it to the olive oil and simmer long enough to infuse the olive oil but not brown the garlic.
Toss in the purslane, stir it up a bit and simmer about a minute, then toss in the brocoli, sprinkle with salt, stir to coat the brocoli and serve.
I was wondering how to get rid of it and now I'm afraid I won't have enough of it. The flavor is fairly mild and I can't imagine anyone not liking it. It seems that they eat it everywhere in the world except the US !!!
