When summer heat makes it hard to find fresh greens, look for Okinawa spinach, a member of the chrysanthemum family. The leaves of this perennial plant are green on the top and purple on the bottom, making it an attractive addition to salads or a garnish on other dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 head garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1/4 cup garlic confit
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon coriander
- 1/4 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes
- 3 cups peeled, cubed yellow potatoes
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 3-4 jalapeño peppers
- 2 medium poblano peppers
- Olive oil
- Salt
- 1/8 cup chopped chives
- 1/8 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cups chopped Okinawa spinach
Instructions
1. To make garlic confit: Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Peel and discard most of the papery outer layers of garlic head. Trim about ¼ inch off top of garlic head, exposing tops of garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap garlic in aluminum foil and bake for 40-50 minutes until garlic inside cloves is soft.
3. To make dressing: Place all ingredients except olive oil, salt and pepper in blender. Blend until smooth. Slowly add olive oil until emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. To make potato salad: In a large saucepan, cook potatoes in boiling water until soft, about 9-12 minutes. Drain, set aside and let cool.
5. Place whole peppers on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place baking sheet in oven under broiler and cook until skins blister and start to char, about 5-10 minutes. Remove from oven, cover with paper towel and let cool. Once cooled, peel skin from peppers, remove seeds and cut into medium size cubes.
6. Combine potatoes and peppers in large bowl. Add dressing and mix well until vegetables are fully coated. Sprinkle spinach and herbs on top of potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
