What is mesclun?
Mesclun is a Provençal word that describes a mix of tender salad greens and herbs. It derives from the French word “mesclar,” which means “mixture.” Traditionally, a mesclun blend includes arugula, chervil, oak leaf, and mâche.
What can you do with mesclun greens?
The best way to use mesclun is in a salad. Does the mix have spicy mustard, baby romaine, red lettuce, and tatsoi? Think about playing with flavors that compliment it, like chopped bacon with blue cheese, olives, sweet red peppers, and a sprinkling of lemon zest.
What is a substitute for mesclun?
It is a staple of Italian fare and often found in mesclun (young tender greens) salad mixes, where it behaves like a cross between lettuce and herb. Smart Substitutions: Watercress, endive, or young mustard greens.
Is mesclun mix healthy?
What you may not know yet is that mesclun—a mix of greens traditionally including arugula, chervil leafy lettuces, and endive—has a stellar reputation for boosting your mood, according to nutritional psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD.
What lettuces are in mesclun?
What is Mesclun? Mesclun greens traditionally contain the small, young leaves of species such as endive, arugula, chervil, and leafy lettuces like baby red leaf. Today the notion of salad mixes has expanded to include many other varieties of greens and herbs.
Is mesclun the same as spring mix?
One of these popular mixes is mesclun, also known as spring mix or mixed baby greens. This blend contains 10 or more varieties of tender, young lettuces and other greens, some of which may be familiar to you and others that probably aren’t.
What does mesclun taste like?
The mild flavor comes from the many varieties of leaf or Bibb lettuce. The piquant taste is characteristic of mustard greens. The bitter or tart flavor originates with radicchio, escarole, mizuna, or curly endive. And the peppery, spicy accents are expressions of arugula or watercress.
What is a replacement for escarole?
Chicory of endives are your best bet, but if those aren’t easily accessible—they’re not always! —spinach and arugula are good bitter substitutes. Truly any dark leafy green’ll do.
What is the most nutritious salad?
When it comes to leafy greens, darker is better. They have the most nutrients. Case in point: Kale and spinach have over 10 times more immune-boosting vitamins A and C than iceberg lettuce.