Sorrel

[Talula Fairie]

I have some sorrel growing and it's not doing that well. It doesn't stand up much, it's kinda droopey? And it's bug ravaged. I've tried to trim it back a bit and hoped it would come back, but it really hasn't. Should I just harvest it all and replant? I don't even like sorrel that much (it was a gift) so I'd be fine with having something else there.

[Owen'nZoe]

Sorrel is a favorite here, but it really doesn't look great the whole summer long - it really only looks nice early in the spring. I think it is best to plant with something that really shines later in the season, to hide it. Alternately, you can just cut it to the ground whenever it starts looking raggedy. Our climates are quite different, but I cut mine to the ground three times during the summer, and it comes back just fine the next year.

You mentioned that you aren't a big fan of the sorrel. How have you tried making it? Are you interested in recipes?

[Talula Fairie]

Sure hit me with recipes I'm going to harvest all my sorrel and cut it down as you suggested, I may pull it out alltogether (haven't decided). I kinda don't want to totally yank it only because I feel it should be rewarded for surviving the Winter O Neglect

[Owen'nZoe]

OK, If I'm trying to convince you that sorrel is lovely, I shouldn't be telling you this, but I don't think it needs to be rewarded for surviving. From what I've heard, it is about as easy to get rid of as dandelions or bindweed.

Our favorite recipe is Greek-style Sorrel soup:

1/2 onion, chopped
butter
4 cups (more or less), chopped sorrel
1/3 c white rice
3 c broth (chicken or light-colored veggie)
3/4 c milk or cream
2 eggs, beaten with a fork
salt and pepper to taste

In a med. saucepan, saute the onion in butter until clear. Add the rice, and stir for a couple minutes. Add the broth. Cook over med-high heat for 5 minutes. Next, add about 1/3 of the chopped sorrel. Cook on med until the rice is soft. Reduce heat to low, and add the cream and the remaining sorrel. Take 1/2 cup or so of the soup out of the pan, and slowly mix it into the eggs to temper them, then slowly add the tempered eggs back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.

We also really love them as a savory pancake:
2 c chopped sorrel
3 c chopped green onion (or chives, or leeks)

Saute the sorrel and onions until soft, then set aside to cool.

Mix together 2 whisked, frothy eggs and 1/4 c flour, add cool leek mixture, and fry in veggie oil. :

[Talula Fairie]

Ok I have like, one cup, probably a half a cup, tops.

It being hard to get rid of does explain how it managed to survive my black thumb and an entire winter of neglect. I seriously hadn't touched it since like...last September! I figured it would die but it didn't.

[Owen'nZoe]

My favorite plants are the ones that can take a little neglect - nothing wrong with that. If I had only a cup of sorrel, I'd just mix it with spinach and use it in a spinach recipe. It'll work great! You could also use it on a salad, but really the little baby leaves are best for that.

[Talula Fairie]

Well that ends that decision. My roomate's cat dug up most of the sorrel. At least he didn't go for the tomato plant.

[trinimommy]

OMG...I never new people ate sorrel like a food/green. I have only ever had sorrel as a drink...the leaves are dried and sold...we uy it and steep it like a tea...sweeten and drink...yummy!!!! Now you guys have me wanting to grow my own sorrel!!!! :

[Talula Fairie]

well I can assure you it's easy to grow. if i can't kill it, no one can

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by trinimommy

OMG...I never new people ate sorrel like a food/green. I have only ever had sorrel as a drink...the leaves are dried and sold...we uy it and steep it like a tea...sweeten and drink...yummy!!!! Now you guys have me wanting to grow my own sorrel!!!! :

And now you've given me an idea - I'm going to dry a batch! My boys love it - it is their favorite thing to snack on in the garden - I'm sure they'd love it as a tea.

And Talula Fairie, I love how your problem just worked itself out.

[Talula Fairie]

I know at first I was really mad and then I was just like "well, at least it wasn't a plant I really liked."

[mamafish9]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe

OK, If I'm trying to convince you that sorrel is lovely, I shouldn't be telling you this, but I don't think it needs to be rewarded for surviving. From what I've heard, it is about as easy to get rid of as dandelions or bindweed.

Our favorite recipe is Greek-style Sorrel soup:

1/2 onion, chopped
butter
4 cups (more or less), chopped sorrel
1/3 c white rice
3 c broth (chicken or light-colored veggie)
3/4 c milk or cream
2 eggs, beaten with a fork
salt and pepper to taste

In a med. saucepan, saute the onion in butter until clear. Add the rice, and stir for a couple minutes. Add the broth. Cook over med-high heat for 5 minutes. Next, add about 1/3 of the chopped sorrel. Cook on med until the rice is soft. Reduce heat to low, and add the cream and the remaining sorrel. Take 1/2 cup or so of the soup out of the pan, and slowly mix it into the eggs to temper them, then slowly add the tempered eggs back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.

We also really love them as a savory pancake:
2 c chopped sorrel
3 c chopped green onion (or chives, or leeks)

Saute the sorrel and onions until soft, then set aside to cool.

Mix together 2 whisked, frothy eggs and 1/4 c flour, add cool leek mixture, and fry in veggie oil. :

Oh, YUMMMM!!!! Thank you, those both look great. The only thing we do with sorrel is to saute it up in a pan (it turns to total mushy sauce), and eat it on fish. Which is really good, but I love these other ideas...