Fresh and healthy herbs: Recipe for a delicious 'Smoked Salmon Salad'

Mumbai: Herbs have long held an important place in our wellness. Prized since ancient times, today we are even more dependent on them to purify our body, mind and soul. Herbs are considered to be the leaves and greener parts of the plant, and most herbs can be found dried or fresh and can be used either way with ease.

They have great aromatic qualities and work very well for roasting and sauteing, plucking or smashing into food or drinks. Food always tastes better when properly seasoned. Fresh herbs are a great source for garnishing and provide a unique flavour to the dish. You’ll enjoy cooking a lot more once you’ve mastered the herb and spice basics. You’ll find that food tastes and smells better and is enhanced manifold with a slight addition of herbs.

More often than not we tend to forget that herbs can be just as crucial for adding nutritional quality to the food that we eat and more importantly, they add a variety of flavors to all our favourite recipes. Like all the salads with organic greens should have freshly washed and plucked basil, parsley, dill, chive and cilantro that not only enhance the flavours of the entire dish but also add a nutritional value to it. For example, basil is rich in flavonoids and is a good source of vitamins, iron and calcium. Parsley is rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. Likewise other herbs also add to the essential nitrites of a meal.

Different cuisines might have some restrictions on the herbs used in their cooking, and therefore it’s very important to select the herbs according to the dish or the ingredients being used to prepare a dish. For example, white meat is enhanced by thyme, red meat by rosemary, sea food by tarragon or oregano, and pomodro sauce pasta or mains by basil or parsley.

Proper storage of herbs is very important. It should be stored in a ziploc bag with a slightly damp paper towel wrapped around the stems. Basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and cilantro will always stay fresh with this method.

Always make sure to crush the herbs with your fingers or sauté to ignite their flavours. Herbs are the heart of a nice meal! For example, in a duet of smoked salmon salad, fresh herbs and herbs dressing enhances the flavor and complements the smoked salmon well. Aubergine, zucchini, asparagus Parmegiano is yet another suitable example of a dish where the right usage of herbs enhances its flavour and adds to the presentation of the dish.

80 gms smoked salmon

30 gms rocket lettuce

2 gms chive

1 gm caper

5 gms sundried tomato

2 gms black olives

30 gms ricotta cheese

10 gms white onion

5 ml olive oil

2 gms salt and pepper

l 30 ml herb vineagrette dressing

Pluck the iceberg lettuce leaf in a medium size container and clean the rocket lettuce leaves under running water. Keep in the ice bath for 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove the lettuce from the ice bath. Drain out the excess water and keep it inside the refrigerator.

Chop caper leaves and mix them with ricotta cheese to form a smooth dressing.

Cut the onion in a round container and take out the rings.

Roll half smoked salmon with ricotta dressing and arrange over the lettuce and half rosette of salmon.

Garnish the salad with herb dressing and serve it cold.