Ramsons paste

Delicious wild garlic paste – a spring truffle

Spring brings a wealth of aromas and fresh ingredients, and wild garlic, also known as "ramsons", is one of the most appreciated edible plants. With its delicate green leaves and a slightly spicy taste, wild garlic not only enriches culinary dishes but also comes with numerous health benefits. This wild garlic paste recipe is simple, quick, and will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:
- 200 g fresh wild garlic leaves
- 200 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 100 g grated cheese (or another type of preferred cheese)
- 100 g sunflower seeds
- 1 green chili, seeds removed
- 3 sprigs of fresh mint
- 2 sprigs of fresh lovage
- A few fresh sage leaves
- Fresh parsley leaves
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme (if fresh is not available)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by washing the wild garlic leaves thoroughly under cold running water. Make sure to remove any impurities or insects. After washing, tear them in half to facilitate the chopping process.

2. Chopping the ingredients: Place the wild garlic leaves in a food processor. Add the deseeded chili. Chop until you achieve a fine texture, but not too homogeneous, to retain some of the leaf's consistency.

3. Making the paste: Transfer the wild garlic and chili mixture to a blender. Add the grated cheese, sunflower seeds, mint, lovage, sage, and parsley. Sprinkle in thyme and oregano, then add salt and pepper to taste. Blend everything, gradually adding the olive oil in a thin stream until you achieve a smooth and creamy paste.

4. Seasoning: Taste the paste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. You may want to add more salt or pepper, depending on your preferences.

5. Chilling: Transfer the paste onto a piece of plastic wrap, roll it into a tight cylinder, and seal well. Place the roll in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up and enhance the flavors.

Serving:
This wild garlic paste is extremely versatile. You can enjoy it plain on fresh bread croutons as an elegant appetizer, or use it as a base ingredient in various dishes. It’s delicious added to sandwiches, on pizza, or even mixed with cooked pasta. Here are some serving suggestions:

- Bread croutons: Spread the paste on toasted bread slices or homemade croutons.
- Sandwiches: Use the paste as a flavorful spread that you can combine with goat cheese or smoked salmon.
- Pizza: Use the paste as a base to add extra flavor to your favorite pizza.

Nutritional benefits:
Wild garlic is renowned for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like iron. Sunflower seeds add a boost of protein and healthy fats, while extra virgin olive oil contributes to cardiovascular health.

Recipe variations:
If you want to experiment, you can adapt the recipe according to your preferences. For example:
- Add nuts: Instead of sunflower seeds, you can use walnuts or cashews for a richer flavor.
- Different cheese: Substitute the cheese with parmesan or feta for a different texture and taste.
- Herbs: You can try adding basil or tarragon for a unique flavor.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use dried wild garlic?: While fresh wild garlic provides the best flavor, you can use dried wild garlic, but the aroma will be less intense.
2. How can I store the wild garlic paste?: The paste can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week. You can freeze it for longer storage.
3. What other ingredients can I add?: You can experiment with various spices or ingredients, such as roasted peppers or olives, to create unique variations.

In conclusion, this wild garlic paste recipe is not only easy to make but also a fantastic way to bring the flavors of spring to your plate. With this delicious combination of natural ingredients, you will add a touch of freshness to your meals. Enjoy and savor every bite!

 Ingredients: Since it is the season for this spring delicacy called [wild garlic], and because there is a wonderful forest near us where it grows freely, this plant so beneficial for health, my husband picked a sturdy bag full of its leaves. So, having plenty of raw material and knowing its qualities, I started to research how to prepare it. I read a lot online and saw all kinds of recipes with wild garlic; I liked RaduP's awesome pesto, but I made my own combination that turned out to be more than delicious: 200g wild garlic, 200ml olive oil, 100g grated cheese, 100g sunflower seeds, 1 green hot pepper, 3 sprigs of fresh mint, 2 sprigs of fresh lovage, a few fresh sage leaves, fresh parsley leaves, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme (since I didn't have fresh), 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, salt and pepper.