I’ll tell you one of the things I miss most since we moved here: kale. But on the plus side I am really getting into mâche.

Let me tell you about mâche, also known as “lamb’s lettuce”: It’s been cultivated since the 17th century here in France’s Loire valley. It is in season from Mid-August through December, making it ideal for holiday fare. It is nutritionally rich, particularly in terms of its Omega 3 oils and in having three times the iron of spinach. So when people ask you “Where do you get your iron from?” you can reply “From Emily’s mâche salad!”

Recipe:

Toss up …

  • Mâche
  • Grated raw beet
  • Clementine segments
  • Sliced red onions
  • Chopped walnuts
  • and your favorite vinaigrette.

Et voila! An explosion of festive colors.

Mâche