Cooking Local: Sorrel & Garlic

Sorrel in the garden

Text, recipe and photos by Greta Hardin

If you are looking to start cooking more local food, or would appreciate some pointers about what to get at the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park Farmers Markets, then keep an eye out for the Cooking Local column. During the Farmers Market season there will be tips about what's fresh, and more importantly, a few quick tips on what to do with it.

This week will begin with a early spring garden treat. Right now a few herbs are reviving or popping up out of the ground - chives, oregano, thyme, rosemary and bright, sour sorrel.

Washed sorrel leaves

On its own the bright sourness of sorrel can be overwhelming. In classical French cuisine it is made into a rich, delicious soup with egg-yolk, cream and butter. If this seems a little far-fetched, then get out the blender, garlic and just a few other ingredients to make this deliciously sour and garlicky sauce that is delicious on chicken, fish, asparagus - and that other pantry staple - beans. (If it doesn't, Julia Child has the recipe.)

Sorrel and Garlic Sauce

Ingredients:

sorrel - about 1C

garlic cloves - 4

ground cumin - 2 tsp

olive oil (the tasty kind) - 2 to 4 Tbs (to taste)

cayenne pepper - a pinch or 2

salt - to taste

Equipment:

blender or food processor

Cook!

Rinse the sorrel, and shake off the water (or use a salad spinner).

Twist the stems off the sorrel, and tear the leaves in half.

Add all the ingredients to the blender/food processor - run until well chopped.

Taste for salt, pepper and oil. Add any that is needed.

Add zing to your food!

This sauce will keep for a few days in the fridge.

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Starting Saturday Jun 14th - October 4th

The Shoreline Farmers Market will be at Shoreline City Hall

Top level of the Parking Structure (Free Parking underneath)

17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline

Starting Sunday May 11th - October 26th

The Lake Forest Park Farmers Market will be at Third Place Commons

Lower Level Parking Lot (Free Parking in surrounding spots)

17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park

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Greta Hardin is a science teacher, food nerd, and the author of Cooking Your Local Produce: A cookbook for tackling Farmers Markets, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) and your own back yard.