Samphire: The sea vegetable you need to know about
What's the story
Samphire, the emerald-green sea vegetable, boasts a crisp texture and a naturally salty flavor that evokes the essence of the ocean.
Thriving in coastal environments, it's a versatile ingredient that brings a refreshing burst of flavor to a wide range of dishes.
Discover five exciting ways to use samphire in your culinary creations, infusing meals with its unique taste.
Salad addition
A fresh twist on salads
Adding samphire to salads provides a unique crunch and briny flavor that enhances the taste.
Just blanch the samphire for a minute or two before tossing it into your salad. This way, it gets a bit tender while staying crispy enough for that satisfying crunch.
Pair it with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette for a truly refreshing meal.
Pasta mix-in
Elevate your pasta dishes
Samphire is a great match for pasta, providing a contrasting texture and salty kick that pairs well with both creamy and tomato-based sauces.
To use samphire with pasta, blanch it quickly before stirring it into the sauce, or simply toss it with the cooked pasta and some good-quality olive oil.
It works wonderfully with linguine or spaghetti and seafood like prawns or scallops.
Breakfast boost
Boost your breakfast
If you're trying to incorporate more greens into your breakfast, samphire might be the unexpected (but delicious!) ingredient you need.
Simply saute samphire in olive oil for two to three minutes until tender, and serve with scrambled tofu or folded into an omelet substitute for a satisfying crunch and natural saltiness.
Its distinctive flavor also pairs well with avocado toast.
Side delight
Samphire as a side dish
Samphire is a delicious side dish that pairs well with both grain-based meals and main vegetable plates.
To cook, gently saute samphire with garlic in olive oil over medium heat until just tender - approximately four minutes will do the trick.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zing.
This simple preparation highlights the unique flavors of samphire without overpowering them.
Soup enhancement
Enhance your soups
Adding samphire to soups can introduce a unique seaside essence to your dishes.
It particularly excels in clear broth-based or light vegetable soups, where its texture and flavor can truly stand out.
Simply finely chop the samphire and incorporate it into the soup during the final minutes of cooking. This way, it maintains some of its desirable crunch while imparting its signature saltiness to the soup.