Purslane uses

[Lavandula Girl]

I have purslane growing in the yard, and am willing to use it. Besides an addition to salads, for the vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, I know it can be used to make digestive aids and dry cough remedies, but my old herbal doesn't have info on amounts used, and whether I just juice it (it's succulent) or decoct it in alcohol. Anyone have info? Thanks!

[Gary]

I have used it in salads as well and thought it added some interest to the mix. I have heard you can also stir fry it as a side dis; I don't have enough to cook up a "mess" like that but would like to try it. I am certain folks from our grandparents era made do with it in a number of ways.
Gary/Louisville

[Lavandula Girl]

Thanks Gary! I've got to come up with a use or two - since I can't get rid of it in my yard! If I can use it, I can pretend I want it there ;)

[Gary]

Tomato, Potato and Purslane Salad

1 pound (500 gr.) firm ripe plum tomatoes
3 medium-size potatoes, peeled and boiled
2 medium red onions, halved and sliced thin (about 1 3/4 cups)
2 small roundish cucumbers (like the kind used for pickling), washed, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 hot green chilli (or less), seeded and chopped
1 small bunch purslane, thick bottom stems removed, and broken apart by hand
2/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or more to taste
sea salt to taste

Wash and core the tomatoes. Cut them in half lengthwise. Drain the potatoes, rinse under cold water and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes or chunks.

Place the potatoes on the bottom of a large serving bowl. Build the salad: Add the tomatoes, then the puslane, onions, cucumbers, chilli, and parsley.

Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar and salt and pour over salad just before serving.
http://www.gourmet.gr/greek-recipes/show.asp?gid=1&nodeid=17&arid=753

Purslane Recipes at Epicurious.com
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/find/results?search=purslane&x=0&y=0

Purslane Recipes from Prairieland Community Supported Agriculture ...Some recipes use leaves only. Purslane can be substituted for spinach or wild greens in lasagnas, filled pastas, and Greek-style tarts.
http://www.prairienet.org/pcsa/recipes/purslane.htm

Mexican Purslane StuffingIf you need recipes:. MEXICAN PURSLANE STUFFING. This is a home-type dish that is as simple to prepare as "scrambled eggs with..." but much more nutritious.
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/recipes/purslane.html

Produce Tip Sheets and RecipesPurslane grows as a weed in our fields, and now [early summer] is the time of the season when it is young and ... More Purslane Recipes.
http://www.communityfarms.org/veggies/purslane.htm

New Potatoes, Red Onion and PurslaneNew Potatoes, Red Onion, and Purslane The Cook and the Gardener: A Year of Recipes and Writings from the French Countryside The Cook and the Gardener:
http://labellecuisine.com/archives/Side%20Dishes/New%20Potatoes,%20Red%20Onion,%20and%20Purslane.ht m

[bluelacedredhead]

I have a book on Edible Garden Weeds of Canada (gov't issue 1978). In it the authors say the easiest way to cook it is 3 to 5 minutes in lightly salted water and serve with butter, crisp bacon or your favourite sauce for veggies.
It is also suggested that it makes a good substitute for pickles in your best pickling recipes.
Seeds can be ground and used in equal parts with flour to make bread, muffins, or boil the seeds of purslane and cook as porridge.

[Lavandula Girl]

Wow! Thanks for the info! You both were very helpful :) It sounds as though I will be able to prepare this all sorts of ways.