Vegoladas Wild Greens Recipes

GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush the vegetables with 1/4 cup of the oil to coat lightly. Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the vegetables until tender and lightly charred all over, about 8 to 10 minutes for the bell peppers; 7 minutes for the yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms; 4 minutes for the asparagus and green onions. Arrange the vegetables on a platter. The key to getting those great grill marks is to not shift the vegetables too frequently once they've been placed on the hot grill.
• Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, parsley, basil, and rosemary in a small bowl to blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the herb mixture over the vegetables. Serve the vegetables, warm or at room temperature.

BRAISED WILD GREENS AND SWEET ONION PITA (HORTOPITA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place a saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add onions and saute until lightly translucent (about 8 to 10 minutes). Add leeks and pinch of salt. Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until onion mixture is soft and translucent. Turn heat to medium-high and add the chopped dandelion greens and kale. Reseason with salt and pepper. Add Herb Tea. Lower heat to medium. Cook 5 minutes until all liquid is evaporated. Remove mix from stove. Add herbs and cool. Season with salt and pepper.
• To Assemble: Defrost phyllo in refrigerator overnight. Lay one sheet of pyhllo out on a clean surface and brush lightly with olive oil. Cover the first sheet with a second sheet of phyllo and brush again with olive oil. Repeat one more time so you have a total of 3 sheets of phyllo (this will line 2 molds). Using a sharp paring knife, cut the phyllo down the center so you have 2 equal sheets. Cut each sheet in 2 equal parts again so you have 4 equal sheets. Repeat one more time so you have 8 equal strips, each approximately 1-inch wide. Using a 3-ounce souffle dish as a mold, lay one strip of phyllo over the mold and press it down to line the mold. Leave excess phyllo hanging over on each side of the mold. Lay a second strip of phyllo across the mold, slightly overlapping the first, and press it down as before. Repeat this procedure until you have a total of 4 strips completely lining the mold with phyllo. Spoon the horta and onion filling into the mold, gently packing down to fill the mold 3/4 full. Enclose the filling in the phyllo by folding the overhanging strips into the center of the mold (cover one at a time). Trim any excess phyllo. Make small slits in the phyllo and brush with olive oil. Fill all 6 molds and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool 2 to 3 minutes. Invert mold to remove pita. Serve as meze or with baby greens
• In a heavy gauge sauce pot combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and reserve liquid. Herb tea can be stored in a covered jar and refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.

SALAD OF SPRING MESCLUN, BLOSSOMS, AND WILD GREENS, WITH LOVAGE-ALLIUM DRESSING

Steps:

• Toss greens, herbs, and blossoms together with plenty of snipped chives and lovage leaves. (Tear larger leaves to bite size pieces. A kitchen scissors works well to snip lovage and herbs down to size). Combine dry and liquid dressing ingredients, to taste, in a glass cruet and shake thoroughly before sprinkling over salad greens.

WILTED GREENS WITH GARLIC AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Cut the greens into strips 1 inch wide.
• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil.
• Add the greens and using tongs, toss them until they are wilted but still retain their bright colour, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper to taste and toss well.
• Transfer to a warmed serving bowl and serve immediately.