If you need a last-minute side dish for Mother’s Day, I think this watercress salad would be perfect. It’s exactly the kind of dish I like to serve at a special occasion meal. Light and refreshing, it provides a welcome contrast to heartier fare like cinnamon rolls (at brunch) or a saucy, cheesy lasagna (at dinner). And while it’s simple to make, it’s a bit more unexpected than a regular green salad. The watercress gives it a peppery bite, which I tame with sweet, juicy orange segments and a bright champagne vinaigrette. Mozzarella and avocado add creamy richness, and toasted pistachios and crisp spring veggies bring plenty of crunch.
This watercress salad is best right after it’s assembled, but you can still do some of the prep in advance. Make the dressing today, and blanch the snap peas. Tomorrow, it’ll be a breeze to put together!
Watercress Salad Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this watercress salad recipe:
- Watercress, of course! If you’ve never tried it, it has a distinct peppery taste and lovely delicate texture. If you can’t find watercress, make this salad with fresh arugula or mixed salad greens instead.
- Snap peas and fennel – For crunch! They also add their unique flavors to the salad. The fennel brings notes of anise, while the snap peas add an earthy sweetness.
- Orange segments – Their sweetness cuts the watercress’s bite.
- Avocado and fresh mozzarella – I love how these rich, creamy ingredients play off the fresh spring veggies.
- Toasted pistachios – For (more) crunch and nutty flavor.
- Champagne vinaigrette – I make this simple dressing with olive oil, fresh orange juice, Dijon mustard, and champagne vinegar. It brings the salad together, adding tangy, fruity flavor.
- A lemon wedge – Squeeze it over the salad for a nice bright finish.
- And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
So fresh! The tender green leaves are perfect for spring.
To help you incorporate this Super Salad into your diet, we have selected our recommended top ten ways to eat watercress along with some delicious recipe ideas for inspiration. Remember that you can buy watercress from the bagged salad section of your local supermarket. Happy cooking!
For more recipe inspiration check out www.watercress.co.uk/recipes where you can search our full index or browse by category.
A simple watercress dip makes a fantastic accompaniment to raw vegetables, bread, or any type of antipasti or mezze. Mayonnaise, olive oil, or even cottage cheese can be used as the dip’s base, with various recipes incorporating different ingredients that are simply blended together.
Many people add kale or spinach to their smoothies, but did you know that watercress can beat both of these ingredients for health boosting properties? The distinctive pepperiness of watercress is perfectly offset by sweet fruit flavours so why not try adding it to your next smoothie? We’ve selected our favourite smoothie recipes here for you to try, or get creative and come up with your own!
It may seem obvious but watercress is the perfect base for any salad, adding crunch, a peppery flavour, and a vibrant dark green colour. Simply swap out your usual mixed leaves or rocket for a bag of watercress when you make your next salad, or follow one of our selected recipes:
The Benefits of Watercress
FAQ
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