Omni-Hit!

Who'd-a-thunk-it? Of all the things I could have presented to my omnivore-man, who'd have thought this would appeal? I don't know where I got the gumption, but I kept "arranging" this salad until it was pretty as a picture. But would it translate to delectable?  Yes! And further, while I was waiting for him to come to the table, my even more picky son looked wide-eyed upon it and asked if he could nibble on part of the blossom. I told him he would have to take it up with his father. Dad relented and both of my guys ate flowers for dinner!  My husband said the salad was really delicious, and my son did not seem offended by the experiment.

The salad is simply a tangle of fresh watercress topped with half an avocado, a couple of pansies, salt and pepper and a little drizzle of blood orange olive oil. That is all. The peppery watercress and creamy avocado were perfect foils for one another and the mildness of the pansies did not upset the balance. The light, flavorful oil was lovely on the mix. Food-styling lesson to self -- add the blossoms after the oil. Oil on a pansy spoils its velvety texture, but not its luscious, mild flavor.

Be brave -- eat flowers!  (only the edible ones!)