Mothering Sunday with watercress
Treat your Mother to high tea with watercress
Mothering Sunday or “Mother’s Day” (31 March) is the annual opportunity to really treat that special lady and show her how much you care. Why not use watercress and these recipes to be a little bit out of the ordinary and splash out on a tea party with a twist. From sandwiches or scones to cake or brownies and even a celebratory cocktail featuring watercress to wash it all down, it will be a Mother’s Day she’ll remember (unless you over do it with the gin possibly!)
Watercress grows in the flowing spring waters of Hampshire and Dorset, thirstily drinking in the health-giving vitamins and minerals the water provides. All in all, watercress is one of the healthiest plants known to man and has been revered since ancient times. Today we know it contains over 50 vital vitamins and minerals and gram for gram even contains more calcium than milk, more folate than banana, more vitamin C than oranges and more vitamin E than broccoli. Watercress has been scientifically proven to help prevent cancer, reduce the DNA damage caused by exercise and yet still more is being discovered about this wonder leaf with other scientific work currently underway.
Perfect Egg Mayonnaise & Watercress Sandwiches
What better way to start the proceedings than with a classic egg mayonnaise sandwich given added piquancy by fresh peppery watercress? More tea vicar!
Rare roast beef, horseradish & watercress bagels
For the carnivores try this modern twist on the original sandwich eaten by the Earl of Sandwich back in 1762 who is said to have first put some beef and watercress between two slices of bread so he could eat without interrupting his card game! This more sophisticated version with bagels is a perfect teatime treat.
Watercress & cheese scones
A tangy alternative to the traditional sweet scone served with cream. These watercress & cheese scones are delicious with butter or perhaps topped with a cream cheese
Chocolate, orange & watercress brownies with chocolate topping
Chocolate, orange and watercress may not seem the most obvious combination but by golly, it works! The sharp pepper of the watercress contrasts deliciously with the citrus flavours and bitterness of the chocolate to make a truly mouth-watering treat
Carrot cake with watercress & cream cheese frosting (vegan & gluten free)
The classic smooth cream cheese filling of carrot cake is given a kick with the addition of watercress. It complements the sweetness of the carrot cake and nutty texture of the nuts. It could be one for the Mad Hatter but don’t tell your mother that!
Gin, watercress & pink grapefruit cocktail
Of course, it may be that tea is preferred on an occasion such as this, but on the other hand, continue the adventure with this exotic watercress infused cocktail to wash everything down. Why not try it with Twisted Nose, watercress gin too?
