BORAGE
If you love cucumber, but your tummy doesn’t, try the companion herb that has a cucumber flavor: Borage.
This sun loving annual or biennial (depending upon the climate) grows so vigorously that, at maturity, it may need staking. Its star shaped blue flowers are sometimes candied and bees love borage. I like to harvest borage leaves fairly quickly, even before flowering, when the leaves are young and tender. Make successive plantings to carry you through fall.
Borage contains vitamins A, C, iron and copper. It is anti-inflammatory, as well.
BUFFET ANTIPASTO SALAD
Place on platter:
Layer on large platter
Mixed greens including Arugula
Marinated Mozzarella balls cut into quarters
Assorted pitted olives or your choice - a combo of black and green are nice
Red pepper slices, julienned
Small borage leaves, chopped (can substitute chopped cucumber)
Sliced or diced tomatoes
Thinly sliced red onion
Ceci beans, drained
Shower of fresh parsley, basil and Romano cheese
Viniagrette:
Shake together in a jar:
1/4 cup good quality Balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Italian herb blend
Dash salt and pepper