From the Spring Foraging Cookbook: Miner’s Lettuce

 

This is one that does not grow wild in my area, but it is so good that I  include it in the garden.  Miner’s Lettuce kept many alive in the early days of California and the west.  This plant is in the Purslane family, but has large leaves that are not thick and mucilaginous like Purslane.  In fact, it is very much like a Lettuce or Spinach.  Miner’s Lettuce is tasty, nutritious and has a cooling effect like most salad greens.  You can eat it raw or in soups, etc.  There really isn’t much I can say about this plant in terms of recipes, but you can make an awesome salad if you use this dressing:

A very good Ranch style dressing can be made using a large variety of herbs.  I use it as both a dressing and a dip, and make it often because I grow so many herbs.  Combine mayo, sour cream and buttermilk; add crushed garlic, finely minced onion, parsley, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  While the dill is the dominant herbal flavor, you can also add any other herbs you have on hand that you like.  

Fried rice is particularly good with mild greens like Miner's Lettuce.  For this, use leftover rice that has been refrigerated overnight.  A hot wok or pan works best so you can toss or stir the rice quickly without breaking the grains too much.  Regardless, put some oil in a hot pan and cook some green onions and garlic.  A little grated ginger and some mushrooms are a very nice addition.  Add your rice and stir fry.  I like to add a beaten egg once the rice is a little brown and add the Miner's Lettuce at the end.  Once the lettuce is cooked, add some soy sauce and sesame oil to taste.

Photo By AnonymousEditor95 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152753882

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The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.