Substitute for watercress?

[mmuch]

ANYONE??

[fmcoxe6188]

A bit out of season now- but would mache work? Though the flavor isnt quite as strong...

[mjhals]

I'd only use mache if it were subing in a salad as both watercress and mache have a soft bite that are comparable. But if you're looking to mimic watercress flavor, I wouldn't select mache. I find it to be much milder than watercress (really, among the mildest greens period), which is why I love it. It's my favorite green for salads, really miss German supermarkets where it was more common than iceberg!

[fmcoxe6188]

Oh it is absolutely much milder....one of the reasons I love it as well :-) Often though I prefer it to Watercress as a "greens" accompaniment. Just yesterday I had a poached egg dish that had a few sprigs of watercress on the side -I suppose for some sort of greenery on the plate, and I would have appreciated Mache in place it for that milder taste.

[Gio]

Because watercress has a peppery bite to it I recommend arugula. However, if you have access to nasturtium flowers and/or leaves that might be a satisfactory substitute. Note that you don't want flowers from a florist, but from a farm that has either IPM growing procedures in place or grows organically. Endive, radicchio, and spinach can be bitter but what you're looking for is that fresh peppery flavor.....

[goodhealthgourmet]

arugula would be my first choice, followed by escarole or endive...or radicchio if you don't mind the color difference. of course this is assuming the watercress is a major ingredient in whatever you're making. if the recipe doesn't call for a lot or it's just being used to add some flavor, you can use Italian (flat-leaf) parsley.

[hotoynoodle]

any assertive green with tender leaves-- arugula, endive, radicchio, even spinach.

[Harters]

Rocket.

[Caralien]

arugula (US for rocket) would be a good replacement. Either that or another mildly bitter and slightly sour baby green