Watercress

Cresson

What it is

It grows in running spring water, not soil, which is why the beds at Méréville have been fed by the same watercourses since the 1860s. Hippocrates is said to have sited his hospital beside a stream to have it to hand.

In the kitchen

Never boil it. Blanch for fifteen seconds at most, or blend it raw — the pepper is destroyed by sustained heat.

Goes with

Potato Cream Egg Lemon Butter Shallot Salmon Black pepper

Also used with

Spider steak Limousin beef Szechuan button (brède mafane) Cornish Yarg Grayling Veal kidney

In season alongside

Garlic scape Hairy bittercress Mizuna Nasturtium capers Parsley Ramps

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