A Green That Does More Than Garnish

[dem in texas]

5. Mexican Salad with Watercress

Mexicans like watercress too. They have a salad that calls for watercress and radishes, dressed with a vinaigrette dressing. When Mexican make vinaigrette, they add a little water to it. Try it sometimes, it makes the taste of the dressing much lighter.

The subject of watercress reminds me of a time, way back in the 1980's when we went camping on a private ranch on the Little Devil's River, about midway between Sonora, Texas and the Mexican Border. This area is now owned by the state of Texas and only a limited number of campers are allowed each year and I can see why. It was magical, tall cliffs with water trickling down, with watercress growing in all the cracks and crevasses. The water fell into the river which had a limestone bottom, and the water was perfectly clear. There was a part of the river for everyone, gentle rapids for the kids that ended in a clear swimming hole. Deeper water for fishing and running trotlines. And the most amazing thing were the caves where the walls were full of Indian drawings dating back hundreds of years.

My Sister and I climbed a little way up the cliffs and picked some of the watercress. We made a salad from the watercress to eat with our fried cat fish that we'd caught in the river.

I always remember that camping trip when I see watercress at Fiesta Market. Think I buy next time I go shopping.