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10 Wonderful ways with rocket

10 Wonderful ways with rocket

It sits there all innocently nestled between rather bland bagged salads, but there’s nothing innocent about this salad leaf. Rocket has a real peppery kick, which will perk up any dish. So next time you’re shopping seek out these spicy leaves and leave boring salads behind.

Rocket is a super healthy green. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and there are only 25 calories in every 100g. So it’s an easy way to add nutrients to a dish without adding extra calories.

Rocket is great in salads, piled on top of pizza that’s fresh out of the oven, added to creamy risottos, quick omelettes and most pasta dishes. It’s also rather fabulous when added to homemade pesto or hummus.

Need some inspiration? Here are 10 of my favourite rocket recipes:
 

Simple rocket and pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Simple rocket and pumpkin seed pesto pasta

A delicious green pesto forms the base of this nutritious and filling pasta dish.

As well as a lushly green pesto, why not add cherry tomatoes, red pepper, broccoli, spring onions, olives and a sprinkle of cheese to finish?

 

Rocket and mozzarella farfalle salad

rocket and mozzarella farfalle salad

I used pasta in this recipe too, but mine is a cold salad of rocket, spring onions, peas, sweetcorn, mozzarella and bow pasta with a rather drool-worthy balsamic and mustard dressing.

It makes a generous lunch or a light dinner.

 

Butternut squash, avocado and rocket salad with balsamic glaze

Butternut squash avocado and rocket salad with balsamic glaze

Another salad, but this time seasonal butternut squash is the star of the show. It’s naturally sweet but takes on a wonderful almost smoky flavour when seasoned and roasted.

In this salad the squash is teamed with creamy avocado, peppery rocket and giant couscous, then finished off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

 

Creamy rocket and watercress soup

Creamy rocket and watercress soup

This healthy green soup was made in a multi-cooker but could be made in a pot or slow cooker

It’s a simple soup bulked out with potatoes, which adds to the creamy texture, but packs lots of flavour from the peppery watercress and rocket.

It’s the perfect meal for these cooler days.

 

Green goddess lunch bowl

Green goddess lunch bowl

For a quick lunch, use a microwave brown basmati rice and quinoa mix then add other ingredients for a meal that will keep you going until dinner time.

The star ingredients of this green salad are spinach, rocket, avocado and peanuts.

 

Creamy avocado and rocket pasta

Creamy avocado and rocket pasta

You’ll have noticed how often avocado and rocket are used together. The creaminess of the avocado and the peppery rocket are a match made in heaven.

Blend avocado and rocket into a rich and creamy pasta sauce that clings to the spaghetti beautifully.

 

Portobello black rice burgers with miso balsamic rocket

Portabello black rice burger with miso balsamic and arugula

Rocket is used as a partner in crime in this recipe. It’s dressed in balsamic vinegar and miso and tops these gorgeous portobello mushroom and black rice burgers.

There’s nothing better than a homemade burger, but taking the time to think about the toppings can really elevate a burger to something very special.

 

High protein salad

High protein salad

People often wonder how vegetarians and vegans add protein to their diets.

There are many sources, but the simplest are beans and lentils, which are teamed with rocket in this healthy and hearty salad.

It’s topped with a tasty peanut butter dressing. Absolutely delicious!

 

New York cheese and avocado bagel with rocket

New York Cheese burger with avocado and rocket

This rather superior American style lunch consists of a Leerdammer cheese and creamy mashed avocado stacked bagel with rocket and finished off with an oozy softly poached egg.

I’m drooling just looking at it, I bet you are too!

 

Buckwheat and chickpea salad with rocket and Brazil nut pesto

buckwheat and chickpea salad with rocket

I end my recommendations with another gloriously healthy and satisfying meal.

This time the base of the salad is buckwheat, chickpeas, broccoli and peas topped with a fabulously green pesto made with rocket, Brazil nuts and basil with a little sweetness from maple syrup.

This is a nutrient-dense meal that tastes amazing.

 

Jacqueline Meldrum is a freelance food writer and recipe developer. Jacqueline blogs at Tinned Tomatoes.

You can follow Jacqueline on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+.

 

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