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
Developed and maintained by Inspiratech LLC.
Design by Themeshift.
John / Kitchen Riffs
July 17, 2021 at 8:22 amThis 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.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 19, 2021 at 4:09 pmThanks, 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.
gloria Roa Baker
July 17, 2021 at 9:12 amLove yours salads dear David and we love palmitos here!!
Hugs
Cocoa & Lavender
July 19, 2021 at 4:10 pmThanks, Gloria. It’s a really nice salad, especially for the summer.
Christina Conte
July 17, 2021 at 11:25 amLooks 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!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 19, 2021 at 4:11 pmIf 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.
Eha
July 17, 2021 at 5:52 pmHope 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 🙂 ?
Cocoa & Lavender
July 19, 2021 at 4:12 pmThe 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.
Kelly| Foodtasia
July 18, 2021 at 8:21 amDavid, 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!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 19, 2021 at 4:12 pmYou owe it to yourself to try this, Kelly! It is really wonderful!
Ron
July 19, 2021 at 7:14 amDavid, 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…
Cocoa & Lavender
July 19, 2021 at 4:15 pmHonestly, 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.
Lynn D.
July 19, 2021 at 5:52 pmI 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.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:50 amI 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!
Lynn D.
July 19, 2021 at 5:53 pmThey make a good vegan ceviche too!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:50 amAlso excellent information!
2pots2cook
July 20, 2021 at 4:51 amWe 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 !
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:51 amI 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.
2pots2cook
July 20, 2021 at 6:20 amThe 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 …..
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:51 amHow exciting! I’m very honored that you were them it’s such expense
Andrea
July 20, 2021 at 11:42 amDear 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
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:52 amSomeday 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.
Raymund
July 20, 2021 at 12:43 pmThat indeed looks simple but that sauce sounds stunning, definitely that will give life to that palm heart.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:52 amI guess you were right, and Raymund, The dressing really is the star of the show
The-FoodTrotter
July 20, 2021 at 1:03 pmI feel like I haven’t bought hearts of palm for ages! But you salad looks good, I should try soon 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:53 amI 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?
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
July 21, 2021 at 5:48 pmIn 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!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:53 amThanks, Ben. That’s exactly the way I look at it too! Any recipe for me is just a jumping off the lease…
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
July 21, 2021 at 8:05 pmWe 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!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:54 amThose 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…)
Jean | Delightful Repast
July 22, 2021 at 7:31 amDavid, 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!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 23, 2021 at 7:55 amI 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!
Aarthi
July 25, 2021 at 5:09 pmFor 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.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 27, 2021 at 7:52 amAarthi – 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.
sherry
August 1, 2021 at 2:26 amhearts 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?
Cocoa & Lavender
August 15, 2021 at 1:41 pmI’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.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
August 15, 2021 at 10:47 amLiving 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.
Cocoa & Lavender
August 15, 2021 at 1:42 pmKaren, if you have access to either Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, both carry whole hearts of palm.