Google garlic mustard and it will take you to pages telling horror stories about this invasive and dreaded herb plant. Here in Ontario, Park and Rec has even a invading species program and encourages everyone to not grow it in the yard and to report if you see it when you are out hiking Learn how to identify it here:
Garlic mustard is originally from Europe and was introduced by early settlers. It grows all over North America.
How can something so invasive and dreaded taste so good? Since I discovered it last year in my garden, I have used in cooking. I do not encourage it to grow it in my garden, but it still seems to come back every season. Last Friday the kids and I harvest our Garlic Mustard from the garden while we were prepping it for gardening.
According to Edible Wild Food mustard garlic has great nutrient value:
A,B,C and E Vitamins
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium,
Selenium,
Copper,
Iron Magnesium
Omega-3 fatty acids.
Read more about the wonders of garlic mustard here
Since I discovered mustard garlic last year I have been using it a lot in my cooking. I have mixed in salads, I have used in dressings, marinades, dips, sautéed with kale or spinach. I even have used in mashed potatoes,scrambled eggs and spices on pizza.
And the garlic mustard pesto taste like heaven, it is must try.
Garlic Mustard Pesto
* 2 cups washed garlic mustard leaves
* 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 1/3 cup pine nuts
* 2 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Put garlic gloves, parmesan cheese and pine nuts in a food processor / Immersion blender. Pulse until it is finely ground and add washed garlic mustard leaves and pulse a few times more.
Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula and add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Marinade for meat:
1 clove garlic
10 leaves of garlic mustard cut up in small pieces
1 cup of Orange juice
I spoon of hot chili pepper
