Sometime, within the past several years (has anyone else been losing track of time lately?), Mark and I were at a restaurant and a hearts of palm salad was on the menu. I hadn’t had hearts if palm in decades — maybe four decades — and, wow, were they good.

Recently, for an early birthday present, my friend Michael gave me Eric Ripert’s newly released Vegetable Simple: A Cookbook. I have always been a fan of Ripert and his culinary artistry, though I know it only from print magazines and online articles. This is my first of his books.

“Simple” is a really good word for the book and the recipes within — in a very good way. The recipes aren’t fancy, no one is difficult, and the results are very good. I assume some experienced cooks might snark about the book’s simplicity, but vegetables are something that are too often ignored on the plate, and Ripert has some really good ideas.

Notice how I said ideas? I have now made several recipes from the book and they are all good as printed. But to me, they are good ideas — a springboard for greater ideas. (I’m sure Ripert won’t be reading this, but if he did I don’t think he would be insulted). His hearts of palm salad gave me the inspiration for what you see below. I would never presume that I could do anything better than Eric Ripert… but, honestly, I think I might just have done it!

~ David

Inspired by Eric Ripert’s recipe in Vegetable Simple

38 Comments

  1. John / Kitchen Riffs

    July 17, 2021 at 8:22 am

    This is totally my kind of salad — simple seeming vinaigrette with just a bit of complexity to it, and straightforward presentation. It’s been years, too, since I’ve had hearts of palm — maybe rivaling our 4 decades! And I can’t remember that I’ve actually ever used them in my own kitchen. That will change, for sure — such a nice salad. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 19, 2021 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks, John. I can’t believe I’ve ignored them for so many decades, and now I’m serving them almost once a week! I really hope you give this a try… I think you’ll like it.

      Reply
  2. gloria Roa Baker

    July 17, 2021 at 9:12 am

    Love yours salads dear David and we love palmitos here!!
    Hugs

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 19, 2021 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks, Gloria. It’s a really nice salad, especially for the summer.

      Reply
  3. Christina Conte

    July 17, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Looks wonderful! I have never cooked or used hearts of palm before! Yes, you’re not the only one losing track of time, or feeling like we skipped a year 🙁 I keep saying “last year” when I mean 2019! Waaaaahhh!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 19, 2021 at 4:11 pm

      If we think we’re bad at losing time, Christina, one of my colleagues was reminiscing about his wedding two years ago, … until I reminded him that it was three years ago and he simply skipped last year. He was mortified and made me promise not to tell his wife.

      Reply
  4. Eha

    July 17, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    Hope you will get a laugh ! Used to love hearts of palm way back when but have not used them for ages , , , well, six months of dire bushfires and then the Covid lockdowns have not exactly been conducive to having friends for dinner ! BUT your very subtle and elegant recipe is so inviting i have already added a few c=tins of the precious product to next week’s on-line order ! As far as vegetables are concerned , , , , methinks I’ll always be omnivorous but am finding more and more vegetable meals creeping into my menus – good for my health or good for the planet 🙂 ?

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 19, 2021 at 4:12 pm

      The salad is really good for you! You don’t need to have guests over to enjoy it… I could even entire can of it’s a pump or by myself.

      Reply
  5. Kelly| Foodtasia

    July 18, 2021 at 8:21 am

    David, I’ve never had hearts of palm before. With this beautifully emulsified sauce (that texture is drool-worthy!) it’s definitely on my list for this week. It’s so elegant, I can’t believe how easy it is!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 19, 2021 at 4:12 pm

      You owe it to yourself to try this, Kelly! It is really wonderful!

      Reply
  6. Ron

    July 19, 2021 at 7:14 am

    David, now that we’re able to be out and about, the last 14 months are but a blur to me.
    Thanks for the heads-up on the “Vegetable Simple: A Cookbook”. Eva (and I) are huge Eric Ripert fans, so this will be in our kitchen soon. What a fantastic summer sallad you made.
    I absolutely love the hearts of palm, having been introduced to them in Brazil many years ago. Everywhere I traveled in Brazil I always found fresh heat of palms on the breakfast buffet. Until we move over here, hearts of palm were the first cans I grabbed when we visited Trader Joe’s. But, we can’t get them here. I don’t know why, they’re just not popular over this way. I can order them from Spain, but the landed cost to our house is about $15 bucks per 330-gram bottle.
    Don’t despair though, as after reading the recipe and remembering how much we loved hearts of palm, I ordered a case. It dropped the price down to 12 bucks a bottle. I can’t wait to get the order and try this recipe. Take care over your way…

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 19, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      Honestly, Ron, I never thought about where they might be native to. Brazil makes a lot of sense… I’m glad you broke down and bought yourself a case of them. You deserve a treat now and then (especially after this year), and these are a pretty healthy option for you. Let me know if you think of the salad when you it, and the book when you and Eva get it.

      Reply
    • Lynn D.

      July 19, 2021 at 5:52 pm

      I had fresh heart of palm in Santiago, Chile. I was walking down the street near our hotel and noticed a sidewalk vendor selling these brown sticks. At first I thought it was firewood! In my very limited Spanish I learned that they were something to eat. That night in the hotel dining room we had a wonderful salad. Bingo, it dawned on me that it was hearts of palm, the sticks from the side walk.

      Reply
      • Cocoa & Lavender

        July 23, 2021 at 7:50 am

        I really hope that I find fresh ones soon so that I can try them. Knowing from you that they look a bit like “sticks” will help me keep an eye out for them! Thanks for your comments Lynn!

        Reply
  7. Lynn D.

    July 19, 2021 at 5:53 pm

    They make a good vegan ceviche too!

    Reply
  8. 2pots2cook

    July 20, 2021 at 4:51 am

    We too, never had hearts of palm ! This is such a novelty for us here; thinking harder, I don’t think I have ever seen them in any market so far. But will order some to taste ! Thank you very much David and I wish you enjoy your day !

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:51 am

      I hope you do find some, Davorka, so that you can make this salad. The dressing has many uses, but this is a wonderful combination as it is.

      Reply
  9. 2pots2cook

    July 20, 2021 at 6:20 am

    The story goes on : found canned palm hearts ( 500 grams for approx 10 euros ), ordered on line and waiting to receive to make this salad. Will let you know how it worked over here … so excited …..

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:51 am

      How exciting! I’m very honored that you were them it’s such expense

      Reply
  10. Andrea

    July 20, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Dear David, hearts of palm are delicious – although I have not eaten them in a while. One tends to forget about certain foods and ingredients but this is such a wonderful reminder to enjoy hearts of palm again. And this dressing sounds delicious. I will look into the cookbook of Eric Ripert as well – I always associate fish recipes with him, now I am curious…
    Noch mehr liebe Gruesse,
    Andrea

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:52 am

      Someday I would like to go to his restaurant in New York City. I’m not much of a fancy restaurant kind of guy, but I really appreciate his cooking: it’s simple, beautiful, and flavorful.

      Reply
  11. Raymund

    July 20, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    That indeed looks simple but that sauce sounds stunning, definitely that will give life to that palm heart.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:52 am

      I guess you were right, and Raymund, The dressing really is the star of the show

      Reply
  12. The-FoodTrotter

    July 20, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    I feel like I haven’t bought hearts of palm for ages! But you salad looks good, I should try soon 🙂

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:53 am

      I don’t think anybody has. I was in the store the other day to get more, and the shopkeeper told me that several people had been in and bought all of their stock. Should I blame myself?

      Reply
  13. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

    July 21, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    In my book, ideas are often even more important that recipes (Because everything is about inspiration and most importantly tweaking these ideas to your preferences .) So I believe if Eric Ripert did stumble across this post, he won’t be insulted! 🙂 That’s a beautiful salad / appetizer idea. I haven’t had hearts of palm for many years, and I totally forgot they look quite elegant!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:53 am

      Thanks, Ben. That’s exactly the way I look at it too! Any recipe for me is just a jumping off the lease…

      Reply
  14. Inger @ Art of Natural Living

    July 21, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    We used to do heart of palm with Hollandaise–why did we ever stop! I’ll have to give your version a try. Gee catching up on your blog tonight (plus providentially running into your Coquilles St Jacques) has been a walk down memory lane!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:54 am

      Those Coquilles St. Jaques are unbelievable, Inger. Sometimes the old fashion recipes are just amazing! (On the other hand, there are quite a few losers out there too…)

      Reply
  15. Jean | Delightful Repast

    July 22, 2021 at 7:31 am

    David, it’s been too long since I last had hearts of palm. Your dressing sounds perfect for them, especially with the tarragon. I have everything I need for it, except the hearts of palm!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 23, 2021 at 7:55 am

      I hope you can find the hearts of palm, Jean. I have found them in Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, but I’ve been told they’re in almost all the grocery stores in town. Now I am on my quest to find fresh ones!

      Reply
  16. Aarthi

    July 25, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    For a second I thought, its Kaju sweet rolls, a popular Indian sweet made with cashew nuts. Hearts of palm vegetable is totally new to me, and you have wonderfully put the recipe together, David! That sauce looks so delicious, and I’m really intrigued to know the taste of this dish.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      July 27, 2021 at 7:52 am

      Aarthi – funny, now that you mention it, I have seen a photo of the Kaju sweet rolls but never made the association till your comment. The sauce is wonderful and tastes great on any salad.

      Reply
  17. sherry

    August 1, 2021 at 2:26 am

    hearts of palm? don’t think i’ve ever had them but i think i’ve seen them being cut down on tv shows to get access to the hearts. it always worried me as i didn’t like the idea of cutting down a whole (albeit very small) tree. but maybe i have the wrong idea about them?

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      August 15, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      I’m really not sure, Sherry. I don’t know much about the harvesting, but the fact that Whole Foods sells them makes me think they must be sustainable.

      Reply
  18. Karen (Back Road Journal)

    August 15, 2021 at 10:47 am

    Living in Florid, hearts of palm are often on restaurant menus as the official state tree, the sabal (cabbage) palm, is where they come from. I prepared a salad the other evening from canned thick sliced ones but I’ve never seen jars or cans of whole ones before. Your salad would be a hit in our home.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      August 15, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      Karen, if you have access to either Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, both carry whole hearts of palm.

      Reply

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