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I did literally run from the trail that day, eager to discover if the Vernon market was open, only to find.. an empty parking lot. I knew it was just too early and too much to hope for, but I am ever the optimist and had hoped the local farmers had somehow magically grown a bit of new greens for us.
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I’ve been missing my kitchen for a few days this past long weekend.. but it was a lovely few days respite. We drove from Vernon up to Mabel Lake to lend a hand with opening up the cabin. Even though we spent the better part of our second day toiling in my Mom’s garden, the companionship of family and the sight of Mom’s spring shoots and flowers were more than ample compensation..
We had one blinding day of sun and heat and then lashings of rain..
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Back home in Calgary, I was delighted to find some crisp green dandelion leaves, not freshly hand-picked but they appeared sufficiently tender. (We can’t all be so fortunate, Tim and John!)
(Btw…this website has an excellent article regarding Edible Plants in Calgary.)
A few sweet bud chives would have to stand in for garlic scapes..
and, sadly, the rest of my dream was nowhere to be found…
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Undaunted, a newly discovered bottle of avocado oil was too tempting to resist… and then I spotted some gorgeous spicy ataulfo mangos and my newest warm salad started forming in my head. We’d gone as a family to the beaches of Mexico years ago, and enjoyed fresh, dripping mango slices doused with lime juice and chili flakes. I think nostalgia can sometimes be the best impetus for food invention…
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Foraging for Greens Dandelion Salad
- 1 bunch dandelion greens
- 1 bunch bud chives
- 4-5 mâcha rosettes
- 1 ataulfo mango
- 3 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lime
- 1 lemon
- hot chili flakes
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- grey sea salt
- Rinse thoroughly all greens. Remove and discard any woody ends/stems from the dandelion and bud chives.
- Cut the dandelion greens and bud chives in 2 inch pieces.
- Peel and chop the mango into 1 inch pieces.
- In a large wok, heat the avocado oil on medium-high heat. Toss in the dandelion, chives, mâcha and garlic. Squeeze 1/2 lime juice over and put a lid on to lightly steam, about 1 minute.
- Remove the lid and zest the lime and 1/2 lemon.
- Sprinkle with hot chili flakes to taste.
- Season with gray sea salt to taste.
I love the salad server. Is it a star fish on the handle? Lovely! And I read John’s post on dandelion leaves too. I’m not sure we can buy them here. I’ve certainly neither tried nor seen them. I do love mangoes in salads though and yes, they are great with a bit of chilli. And I make mine with avocado so we avocado oil in the dressing our salads are fairly similar! Love the images of spring and I hope the Farmer’s Market opens soon xx
This looks like a great salad. I know I need to add a lot more green things to my diet and this looks like a great way. Honestly, I used to think that fruit in salad was crazy (well… before I actually started eating salads with fruit in them), but I’ll admit I’m converted now. The mango in this salad looks seriously mouth-watering!
This salad looks stunning my friend – fresh and green just like your beautiful poem and lovely photography – you keep me in touch with nature 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
That salad looks good! I know my friend Alain would love it.
What a beautiful escape, despite the rain. I love the idea of foraging – what a great way to be mindful about what you eat and cook! Thank you for this lvoely post.
The quality of these photographs is outstanding Smidge. Such delicate blooms. I love it (greens too!)
I had no idea one could eat dandelion leaves… I’d always been told they weren’t edible as a kid, but this is the second time I’ve seen someone use them recently… I’m really curious as to the flavour. I wonder where I can get some good, fresh greens from which haven’t been “sprinkled” by the plethora of dogs which are taken for walks in the forest next to my house! 😀 Looks delicious anyway – well worth a try 🙂
Hahaha.. My dog was happily “watering” the dandelions on our walk today. I had to resort to a grocers.. As even our yards feel unsafe these days… They were surprisingly pleasant. I tried blanching some as suggested in a recipe, but that just turned them to a soggy mess.. I think just a quick cooking in the wok was the best way to make a warm salad. Cheers, Smidge
I need to get down to our olives and pick me some dandelion leaves! I love your poem, so vivid, and the photos are stunning. Thank you!
Beautiful photographs and writing… Great post. Thank you dear Barbara, with my love, nia
Dandelion greens are to big now over here for using in the salad … can see that the spring has arrived over there – love the “forget me not” – what a delicious little flower.
You’re a very talent woman in many ways … poem, cakes, salads, photography- stunning photos. Will try this salad – use baby spinach instead.
Baby spinach will work for sure! Thanks for all of your compliments!
Sounds like a terrific long weekend, even though it rained. I agree that nostalgia can be a source of great inspiration. Love the flower pictures from the cabin.
I too took a break from the kitchen all last weekend. It was a nice respite as we party hopped, but nothing so tranquil as your walk or nutritious as your salad. Lovely.
Beautiful photos, Smidge, and wow, that salad! I love it. And the addition of mango just brings it all together.
Wonderful post Smidge. Fabulous photos. It is always a treat to visit your blog.
Regards Florence x
It is indeed lovely to get away a little bit; sorry that your weather isn’t quite a spring-like. We had amazing weather at our cabin up north, in fact, it was warmer up there than in Toronto! I even had a dip in the lake.
What a lovely salad, so fresh.
Oh.. our lake.. would have been brrrr!! Lucky you!
Well, for one thing, thanks to the rain there are loads of dandelions in the garden…. Brilliant post!
I will have to remember not to put “Weed be gone” on them! I will have to try them some time! Beautiful photos and poem!
Hahahaha 😀
Like my mom said many times over growing up; eat your greens. Beautiful post – thanks for sharing:) Have a Great Day!
Beautiful words and gorgeous photographs! But of course I’m not surprised, your blog is always amazing and awe-inspiring! Your salad looks wonderful. Our farmer’s markets have just opened but I didn’t bother to go last weekend because I thought…what could they possibly be selling? We’re still in the beginnings of our spring, but like you, I certainly look forward to fresh greens! 🙂
I know, you’re right.. but I thought.. maybe a few little greens:) Or even some crafts.. but I got nothin’! Soon.. our blogs will be just overflowing with our haul from the market, eh?
Lovely poem. Glad to hear you had a lovely few days respite – shame about the mixed weather.
This post was a pleasure to read, Barb. Your photographs of Spring’s blossoms were beautiful, each prettier than the one before. I’ll be heading back to Michigan in a couple days where, with luck, I’ll go foraging for enough dandelions for a salad for my Zia. I hope it’s not too late for picking. I do wish I could find some to buy. The only ones I ever see are quite large and not at all tender. Now, we may enjoy our dandelion salad but you’ve taken it to an entirely different level. It sounds delicious!
You are so fortunate to find dandelions just through foraging.. I’ve found a spot here where wild asparagus grows, supposedly, so I’m going to have to sneak out at night with my flashlight;) My dandelions were large, not tender.. And it was torture walking my dog past those that looked yummy but likely laced with pesticide. Take care!! Smidge
luv it! brings out my artistic side!
I’m a bit jealous Smidge. . . There is no way I could go foraging where I am currently. Do you get morels near you? That is the one think I really wanted to do while I lived in Michigan and just didn’t find time for (seriously, why did I spend all of that time studying?!). Apparently morels are everywhere after a summer rain in Michigan.
I don’t know about morels.. I’d have to look that one up, now wouldn’t truffles be just awesome, lol, but only in France…
Terrific salad and I so agree with you about food memories.
I know nostalgia spurs me on at least weekly in the kitchen. 🙂 This sounds wonderful and refreshing.
We’ve been lashed with rain too Smidge after being seduced by the sun. Heartless Spring! 🙂 You’ve used a few ingredients I’m not familiar with, but know enough of them (and know YOU well enough) to know this salad will be brilliantly good!! xoxox
I think you’ve had your fair share of rain, spree.. that’s just not fair!! If spring gets here first, you should come stay here.. and use my kitchen:)
ps it hailed today:(
Love the white flowers with the red flower background.
I love using dandelion greens in salads. Your salad looks delicious, thanks for sharing it with the Hearth and Soul Hop.
BTW, I didn’t see a link back to the Hearth and Soul Hop. Please add a link back to one of the hosts.
I am not sure I can find dandelions here but I love the idea of this salad and that serving spoon is just beautiful
That trail looks gorgeous! I would lovee to go there. Ataulfo mangos are so good. I just tried one for the first time about a month ago. This salad sounds delicious!
I would love to go foraging but we don’t have many edible wild plants where we live. The salad sounds delicious 🙂
I would just love to forage anywhere even close to where you took me today! Lovely–so inviting and restful. I just enjoyed it as a little mental break, Smidge! The salad sounds devine. I love avocado oil, and don’t use it often! I seem to forget about it…and I’m not familiar with macha rosettes or atalfo mango, but I’ll do a little local homework. I could live on salads like this…I really could! 🙂 Debra
Such a lovely post….beautiful photos, beautiful writing, beautiful food…love this! Really wish I had that salad for lunch today. 🙂 xx
I love your photos of your mother’s garden! You have inspired me to try taking some of my own when we head to my parent’s lakeside cottage this weekend. Like you, I usually spend time helping them in the garden and setting up the lawn furniture this time of year. I enjoy the camaraderie as well. It’s wonderful to work together in the sunshine (or the rain).
Oh my goodness, Smidge. From the poetry to the photos of those gorgeous flowers to that amazing sounding salad (I, too, hold treasured memories of mango, lime and chile from Mexico)…I’m inspired.
Sounds so fresh and tasty, Smidge. Sorry your market wasn’t open yet, but soon, right? And to spend time at the cabin gardening sounds heavenly to me. The flowers you show are gorgeous!
I hope it’s soon.. we have one in Calgary, but it’s just not the same…
Your walk took me back to my French Alpine walks, particularly around the time of the melt – your words “my heels, crushing pestles on the pine ” were music to my ears. Thank you!
And to go foraging, how beautiful, I’ve only just learnt about Ramps from John’s blog. and your salad – YES please, my problem here is in finding ripe mangoes, the shops sell mangoes but so often they are un ripe or never ripen. Humph, I WILL find them as this sounds like a perfect pairing – sweet mango and crunchy tangy greens.
Ah, now you’ve answered a query of mine, Smidge: a French foodie indicated that dandelion leaves were edible and I couldn’t quite believe it. But a salad! I must try it!
Wonderful pictures! I love the forget me nots – and the colors! My grandma used to make dandylion salads…I’ve never eaten them, though!
I love the idea of foraging! Would be handy to have the tips on what to pick and what not to, I’d be the person who’d pick the poisonous mushrooms otherwise haha. Stunning pictures as always Smidge, thanks for taking us on your vacation!
I’m glad you enjoyed this, today, Sarah:) I feel the same way when I visit your blog:) xoxo
Plymouth, Massachusetts. Many swans swam around our cove while I was there (about 9), but they wouldn’t let me get close enough to take a good picture. Because of the northern climate, the garden wasn’t in full swing yet, but mom’s peonies looked lovely, and she has so many pretty vignettes inside the house. I’m still ruminating about what to say (along with the photos). I plan to post a new entry later this week.