REDISCOVER RHUBARB
WITH SPRING FINALLY HERE, NOW IS THE TIME TO REDISCOVER RHUBARB. DESPITE BEING WIDELY USED IN DESSERTS DID YOU KNOW THAT RHUBARB IS ACTUALLY A VEGETABLE? IN FACT IT’S A MEMBER OF THE ‘POLYGONACEAE’ FAMILY AND RELATED TO SORREL.
Popular in Victorian times and throughout most of the twentieth century, rhubarb subsequently suffered along with many of Britain’s homegrown, traditional vegetables as supermarkets began to sell out-of-season fruit from around the world. Riverford Organic loves growing organic rhubarb on its farms. It’s an excellent crop to grow in Britain, enjoying cool climates and suffering very few pests. It also packs a flavoursome punch at the table.
As well as making gorgeous puddings such as traditional crumbles and fools, rhubarb’s sharpness also works beautifully with meat and fish. For a delicious, sophisticated Spring lunch or supper dish try serving Jane Baxter’s simple Rhubarb Butter Sauce with a fresh salmon fillet. Find this and other recipes in the Riverford Farm Cook Book.
RHUBARB BUTTER SALMON I SERVES 6-8
METHOD
Place salmon fillet (one per person) in a baking parchment parcel along with a dash of white wine and, if available, a head of elderflower then cook in a hot oven until the parcel puffs up and the salmon steams inside. (Other oily fish and pork work well with this sauce)
550g rhubarb, cut into batons 2 teaspoons sugar Juice and grated zest of 1 orange 150ml fish stock
40g chilled butter, cut into small pieces
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Put the rhubarb, sugar, orange juice and zest in a pan and cook gently for about 15 minutes until the rhubarb has broken down into a purée.
Meanwhile in a separate pan, boil the fish stock until reduced by half its volume. Stir in the rhubarb, season and cook for 5 minutes then push through a sieve into a clean pan. Just before serving, heat the sauce and whisk in the pieces of butter a few at a time to give a glossy finish. Season to taste.
Delicious with new season boiled potatoes and steamed greens or a fresh green salad.
LIFE - 9
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