Watercress is making a comeback on dinner tables across the UK and got a royal seal of approval this week when it was featured in the grand state banquet hosted by the Queen.
On Monday evening, according to press reports President Trump and 170 guests were treated to a very British menu, featuring a great selection of locally sourced ingredients, including a starter of steamed fillet of halibut accompanied by a watercress mousse, asparagus spears and chervil sauce.
Known for its distinct peppery taste and array of health benefits, watercress grows in natural spring waterbeds in Hampshire and Dorset, from April to October.
Naturally high in Vitamins A, K and protein, it is also a source of Vitamin B6, folate, calcium, potassium and fibre.
Nicola Dodd, Marketing Manager at AHDB, said “Watercress is such a versatile ingredient with a lovely peppery flavour that pairs brilliantly with so many foods. There are lots of ways it can be incorporated into dishes to not only add flavour but also key nutrients. It is no wonder the Queen approved it for the royal menu this week for such a high-profile banquet.
“Watercress has been on British menus for years on the quiet but is coming into its own currently. The Queen is very much ‘on trend’!”
To highlight the nutritional benefits of watercress, along with its versatility, we joined forces with British watercress growers to reach a new audience by means of the #watercresschallenge. People are being encouraged to try watercress in a variety of dishes and share their creations with friends and peers using the hashtag.
Why not re-create the banquet dish of steamed fillet of halibut with a light watercress mousse or try something else with watercress? There’s a huge selection of recipes from soups and salads, to sauces and smoothies on the watercress.co.uk website or why not see what others are creating using #WatercressChallenge.
For more information:
AHDB
ahdb.org.uk