Portland Produce: Radish, Mâche And Arugula Salad

salad (2)
Ellen Jackson•

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you've ever wandered around the Portland Farmers Market, you know the pure product glory that inspired market board member, food writer and recipe developer Ellen Jackson's new cookbook. Portland Farmers Market Cookbook is full of stories and photos that will make you want to reach for a fresh bunch of something and pay tribute to one of the most vibrant and lively food shopping experiences in the country. 

This salad pairs sweet mâche with peppery arugula and radishes in three hues for a vibrant taste of spring. Chinese green radishes are shaped like a daikon, but with bright-green flesh. Watermelon radishes are green on the outside, with striking magenta flesh, and are also related to daikon. The idea here is to make your salad colorful, so Easter Egg and French Breakfast varieties are options too if green or watermelon radishes aren't available.

The nettle-cashew cream is a rich and tasty dairy-free alternative to cream cheese or sour cream. You'll definitely have some left over: It's delicious served over pasta, as a dip or spread, or thinned slightly to make a sauce.

Reprinted with permission from Portland Farmers Market Cookbook

Portland Produce: Radish, Mâche And Arugula Salad
No Ratings
Fill 202 Print
Prep Time
30
minutes
Cook Time
15
minutes
Servings
4
to 6
Ingredients
  • 1 to 2 green radishes
  • 1 bunch red globe radishes
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt (Davies likes the pure kosher sea salt from Portland's Jacobsen Salt Company)
  • 1/4 cup yuzu juice or freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 medium lemons)
  • 1 to 2 Watermelon radishes
  • 1 bunch mâche
  • 1/2 bunch arugula
  • 1/2 cup Nettle-Cashew Cream
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • About 8 cups nettle leaves
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Directions
  1. :::cream:::
  2. In a small bowl, add the cashews and cover them with plenty of water. Let them sit overnight at room temperature, covered with a kitchen towel.
  3. The next day, cook the nettles; you should have about 2/3 cup, tightly packed.
  4. Drain the cashews and place them, along with 1/4 cup water, in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the cashews are very smooth and creamy; this may take a few minutes. Add the nettles, lemon juice, and salt, and continue to blend until the cream has the consistency of a spreadable paste. Taste and check the seasonings, adding more salt and lemon juice if needed.
  5. :::salad:::
  6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  7. In a small bowl, toss the green and globe radishes with 2 tablespoons of the oil and a pinch of salt. Spread the radishes in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast until just tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, in a small nonreactive bowl, whisk the yuzu juice with the remaining 3/4 cup oil until combined. Season to taste with salt and set aside. In a large bowl, toss the watermelon radishes, mâche, and arugula with a pinch of salt. Add the warm green and globe radishes to the bowl with the salad greens, pour on the yuzu dressing, and toss to combine. Season to taste with additional salt.
  9. To serve, smear a generous tablespoon of cashew cream on each plate, or the entire amount on a large platter. Divide the salad among the plates or arrange it on the platter, on top of the cream, and serve immediately.
Rate this recipe
Recommended