What is rocket?
Rocket is a very ‘English’ leaf, and has been used in salads since Elizabethan times. It has a strong, peppery flavour, and the leaves have a slight ‘bite’ to them. If you see ‘rucola’ or ‘arugula’ for sale or on a restaurant menu, it’s the same thing.
How to prepare rocket
Just rinse rocket and you’re ready to go.
How to cook rocket
Mix with other salad leaves; throw a handful on top of pasta or a pizza. You can also wilt it into pasta dishes or eggs – just add at the last minute to retain the peppery flavour.
Recipe suggestions:
Blitz into a rocket pesto to stir through pasta or spoon over mozzarella. Fold into a prawn, fennel & rocket risotto, or scatter over a mushroom, ricotta & rocket tart.
Egg & rocket pizzas are healthy and quick to make. Balsamic steaks with beetroot & rocket are easy but impressive.
How to store rocket
Store in the bottom part of your fridge, in brown paper or a perforated bag. It will last for a maximum of two days.
When is rocket in season?
Available year-round in supermarkets. Rocket is incredibly easy to grow, in fact, it could take over your whole veg patch.
Choose the best rocket
Look for perky dark-bright green leaves. Avoid those that look slimy, yellowed or browning, as they’re past their best.