My son was amused when my wife summoned him to finish the “rocket” on his plate. The name is indeed funny. Rocket is an edible plant and is commonly known as salad rocket. Eruca Sativa is the scientific name which also is variously known as roquette, rucola, rugula or colewort.
The leaves are widely used in salads especially in the US, France, Turkey, Morocco, the Mediterranean and now in India as well .Its been written about since Roman times and many have described it as an aphrodisiac. In ancient Roman poetry, rocket leaves have been described as leaves that excite the sexual desires of drowsy people , and because of this reason they were forbidden to be grown in monasteries. I don’t know how far this is true but I enjoy eating rocket leaves in my salad and have invented many variations of my own salad concoctions.
Rocket has a pungent and peppery flavour. It resembles longer leaved open lettuce. The leaves are rich in potassium and Vitamin C. Rocket seed and young pods are also usable and edible. Rocket was traditionally collected in the wild or grown in home gardens along with such herbs as parsley and basil. It is now grown commercially.
I first tasted rocket many years ago while I was traveling in Europe. It was a summer afternoon I was walking on the streets of Rome, where I saw this small eatery which specialised in salads.
Seeing fresh juicy salads was enough to make my mouth water. I inquired from the salad bar supervisor about the special of the day salad which was Rocket on My Plate. The salad was so fresh and unique. I had not eaten something like that before. It was then that I fell in love with the rocket. Fresh rocket with strawberries and vinaigrette—a simple but most delicious salad.
Rocket and feta sandwich
Ingredients
■ Milk bread: 2 slices
■ Rocket leaves: 4
■ Butter: 1 tsp
■ Black pepper and salt: 1tsp
■ Fresh red tomatoes: 1
■ Feta cheese: 2tbsp
■ Olives pitted- 6
■ Jalapenos – 4
Method
■ Toast the bread
■ Apply butter and seasoning on one side of each slice
■ Place in the rocket and then add tomatoes cut in slices
■ Place olives and jalapenos in between
■ Crumble feta over them
■ Place one toasted slice on the prepared toast to cover it
■ Pierce a toothpick and enjoy with hot salsa sauce
Rocket on my plate
Ingredients
■ Rocket leaves: 2 bunch or 500 gms
■ Strawberries: 250 gm
■ Vinegar: 3 tbsp
■ Salt to taste
■ White pepper powder: 1 tsp
■ Sugar: 1 tsp
■ Mustard powder: 1 tsp
■ Pine nuts: 3 tsp
Method
■ Wash and pat dry the rocket leaves
■ Place in a serving bowl
■ Mix in the seasoning in a cup and add sugar and mix well
■ Pour on the leaves gently mix them
■ Garnish with pine nut
■ Serve chilled
Rocket mango salsa Salad
Ingredients
■ Rocket leaves: 500 gm
■ Mango puree: 100 gm
■ Onions: 1
■ Cilantro: 3 tbsp
■ Vinegar: 1tsp
■ Salt to taste
■ Red pepper powder: ½ tsp
■ Oregano: 1 tsp
■ Walnuts: 3 tbsp
Method
■ Wash and pat dry rocket leaves
■ In a bowl put all the remaining ingredients other than walnuts and blend well
■ Pour the prepared mango salsa on the rocket leaves
■ Garnish with walnuts and serve chilled