Cooking with Rocket: A Closer Look at the Various Uses of This Special Herb in Cookery

Also referred to as arugula in some places, rocket is a special herb that many people mistake for lettuce, mainly because of their relative similarities. In France, this herb is often called ‘roquette,’ while in Italy people call it either ‘rughetta’ or ‘rucola.’ Primarily, this herb has three different species, namely Diplotaxis muralis, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, and Eruca sativa. In Mediterranean countries, cooking with rocket is an age-old practice because many people consider it an aphrodisiac. Today, it is widely used to improve the tastes and enhance the flavors of many delectable dishes.

Cooking with rocket is really a good practice because this herb contains lots of iron and vitamin C. In Italy for instance, people use it in making nutritious pizzas. Furthermore, other individuals use it with dry meat, pasta, or vegetable dishes. Because of its leafy appearance, rocket is widely used in many different salad dishes like Quick Rocket Salad, Watercress and Rocket Salad with Prosciutto and Mango, as well as Warm Rocket Salad. Cooking with rocket is also nice when mixed with other vegetables, mainly because it does not affect the flavor of other key ingredients. Some of the most notable vegetable dishes with rocket are Vine Tomato Tart with Parmesan, Truffle Oil, and Rocket Salad, Tomato Tart with Polenta Crust and Rocket Oil, as well as Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Rocket Pesto.

Cooking with rocket also goes well with poultry dishes such as turkey and chicken. For a tasty turkey special, people can try the dish called Turkey and Rocket Salad with Macadamias. Meanwhile, those who prefer chicken can use rocket in cooking Tagliatelle with Smoked Chicken, Rocket, and Sundried Tomatoes, and Rocket Fuel Chicken Dipping Sauce. This special herb can also be used in making pasta delicacies such as Spaghetti with Rocket and Tomato Sauce, Pasta Salad with Rocket and Tomato Dressing, and Macaroni with Asparagus, Broad Beans, and Rocket Pesto.

For nutritious seafood dishes, people can add rocket to numerous tasty dishes including Tuna Steaks on Rocket and Roast Peppers, Swordfish Steaks on Rocket and Roast Peppers, and Strangozzi with Rocket, Pancetta, and Prawns. Meanwhile, cooking with rocket is also very much applicable to appetizing treats like Spicy Grilled Tuna with Rocket, Smoked Eel and Rocket Salad with Horseradish Dressing, and Seared Salmon with Courgettes, Asparagus, and Rocket.

Lastly, cooking with rocket is also good for different kinds of meat like beef, pork, and lamb. When mixed with beef, people can cook the special dish called Steak with Rocket. On the other hand, Seared Lamb Chops with Rocket and Parmesan, and Lamb White Bean and Rocket Salad with Cherry Tomato and Rosemary Dressing combine rocket with lamb meat to produce great-tasting delicacies.

Originally posted 2009-07-11 18:02:39.