If you're looking for an easy way to add some flavor to your cooking while making a difference by protecting native woodlands, then wild garlic mustard is the perfect ingredient! This unique yet pesky herb has a distinct flavor that can transform ordinary dishes into something special.
Wild garlic mustard is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia, and it's been used for centuries in old-world kitchens and apothecary cabinets. It has a strong garlicky taste and a hint of sweetness, which makes it ideal for adding a unique flavor to a variety of dishes. It is wildly invasive as it replaces native plant diversity, such as woodland wildflowers. Let’s all do our part and protect the wildflowers by eating the incredible edible and invasive pesky plant known as garlic mustard.
The Free Range Kids at the Nurturer By Nature Homestead School can identify garlic mustard growing on our homestead.
One of the best ways to use this delicious herb is in salads. Add some fresh wild garlic mustard to your favorite salad and you'll instantly add a robust flavor. Its pungent aroma and flavor will really stand out against other ingredients. You can also add it to sandwiches and wraps, as well as in stir-fries and soups.
Wild garlic mustard is also a great way to add flavor to grilled meats. Sprinkle some of the herb over your steak or chicken and you'll have a delicious meal with a unique flavor. The herb pairs especially well with grilled fish and can be used as a rub to add some extra flavor.
Leeks are a delicious vegetable, often used in the cuisine of many cultures around the world. They are a member of the allium family and have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs nicely with many dishes.
Leeks can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted. When eaten raw, they have a crunchy texture, and when roasted, they become tender and fragrant. Many recipes call for them to be cooked in butter or oil, as this brings out their flavor. Leeks are also incredibly healthy, as they are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and potassium. They are also low in fat, sodium, and calories.
Leeks are also a great addition to soups and stews, as they add a unique flavor and texture. They can also be used to make a variety of dishes, including casseroles, gratins, and quiches.
If you’re out foraging and looking for a new recipe to try in your kitchen, this Garlic Mustard Leek Soup is an excellent choice. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Wild Garlic Mustard Leek Soup
Ingredients
3 cups thinly sliced leeks
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon butter (or oil, margarine/vegan butter substitute)
1 tablespoon flour
Pinch ground allspice
¼ cup dry white wine
1-quart chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups thinly sliced garlic mustard greens
Salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs, separated
1 cup heavy cream (or extra creamy oat milk)
directions
Saute leeks, garlic, sugar, and thyme in butter or oil over very low heat in a large saucepan until VERY tender and well browned. This will take about 30 minutes. (Cover during part of the cooking so the leeks will wilt faster. Uncover to begin browning).
Sprinkle leeks with flour and allspice and cook for 1 minute.
Add wine and stock.
Heat to boiling: reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
Stir in garlic mustard greens, and season with salt and pepper.
Beat egg yolks and cream or extra creamy oat milk until well mixed and stir into soup. Heat until simmering.
Beat egg whites until frothy; stir into simmering soup.
The Free Range Kids at the Nurturer By Nature Homestead School can identify garlic mustard growing on our homestead.
NBN Homestead School offers almost entirely outside childcare for Free Range Kids, supporting emotional, physical, and cognitive development by nurturing a positive relationship with the natural world around us. NBN facilitates activities and fosters child-led curiosities which help children retain information, encourages independence, and promotes social-emotional development. By guiding children and teaching through play, exploration, and supported risk-taking; children develop confidence, resilience, and self-esteem through learner-inspired hands-on experiences in their natural settings. Homestead school is rooted in teaching about and within nature and our working Homestead. Included in our curriculum is caring for a small flock of backyard chickens, planting, gardening, learning about some perma-culture, composting, and even foraging; all combined with lessons in sustainability and utilizing all of the gifts nature has to share. These Free Range Kids experience all of this and so much more.
On April 1, 2024, we celebrated two years of Homestead School here on this land. What beautiful timing for change, growth, and support to continue offering this outside childcare and education. Wildschooling. A parenting and homeschooling method that so beautifully aligns with much of who we are here at Homestead School and who we are as humans. Rejoining and realigning with the natural world around us. Our dream for each and every one of us begins with our Free Range Kids.
We have held our own for two years here on this homestead and we are thriving; growing each and every day. We need to keep up with the quickly developing desire and interest in this incredible outside care. In order to do this, our little flock is asking for support. We have a healthy list of essential areas that need financial support to continue creating the Homestead School dream that so many appreciate and desire. We are hoping to raise at least $10,000 to be used for the projects listed on the Nurturer By Nature webpage. We appreciate all of our donors! if you can give a little and share our vision with friends, we appreciate you too!
For more information about the Nurturer by Nature “Help Us Grow” campaign, click here.