Arugula most often lands on your salad plate, and that's fine. But this bright and peppery has a flavor that lends itself to dishes beyond salad -- pastas, pestos and pizza toppings, to name a few.

Hailing from the Mediterranean region, arugula (a.k.a. rocket and rucola) is available all year round in the supermarket, but it's exceptionally flavorful during the spring and summer seasons. Baby arugula is the most tender and mild in flavor, so it's best for salads or picky eaters. Mature arugula leaves, which are much more pungent and bitter, are great for cooking or making into pesto. Try both and see which kind you like the most -- if your taste is anything like President Obama's, you'll probably like both.

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  • Roasted Autumn Panzanella Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/10/roasted-autumn-panzanella-salad/">Roasted Autumn Panzanella Salad recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>

  • Stuffed Flank Steak

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  • Arugula And Crispy Shrimp Pizza

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/04/crispy-shrimp-pizza/">Arugula and Crispy Shrimp Pizza recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>

  • Shaved Asparagus And Arugula Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/04/did-i-shave-my-asparagus-for-this/">Shaved Asparagus and Arugula Salad recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>

  • Arugula Pesto

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/arugula_pesto/">Arugula Pesto recipe</a> by Simply Recipes</strong>

  • Peach And Arugula Grilled Cheese

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.macheesmo.com/2010/07/peach-grilled-cheese/">Peach and Arugula Grilled Cheese recipe</a> by Macheesmo</strong>

  • Baked Chicken Milanese With Arugula Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/04/chicken-milanese-with-arugula-and.html" target="_hplink">Baked Chicken Milanese With Arugula Salad recipe</a> by Skinny Taste</strong>

  • Chicken With Goat Cheese And Arugula

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_with_goat_cheese_and_arugula/">Chicken with Goat Cheese and Arugula recipe</a> by Simply Recipes</strong>

  • Arugula Salad With Penne

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/arugula-salad-with-penne-garbanzo-beans.html">Arugula Salad With Penne, Garbanzo Beans And Sun Dried Tomatoes recipe</a> by Skinny Taste</strong>

  • Succulent Roasted Thyme Chicken With Sweet Maple Parsnips And Wilted Arugula

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/succulent-roasted-thyme-c_n_1057661.html" target="_hplink">Succulent Roasted Thyme Chicken with Sweet Maple Parsnips and Wilted Arugula recipe</a></strong>

  • Arugula Pesto, Ricotta And Smoked Mozzarella Pizza

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/arugula-pesto-ricotta-a_n_1382630.html" target="_hplink">Arugula Pesto, Ricotta and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza recipe</a></strong>

  • Asian Pear And Arugula Salad With Goat Cheese

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/asian-pear-and-arugula-sa_n_1058206.html" target="_hplink">Asian Pear and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese recipe</a></strong>

  • Arugula And Chicken Sausage Bread Pudding

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/arugula--chicken-sausage_n_1049478.html" target="_hplink">Arugula & Chicken Sausage Bread Pudding recipe</a></strong>

  • Grilled Green Bean Salad With Lentil Vinaigrette

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-green-bean-salad-_n_1058446.html" target="_hplink">Grilled Green Bean Salad with Lentil Vinaigrette recipe</a></strong>

  • Green Pizza

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/green-pizza_n_1062009.html" target="_hplink">Green Pizza recipe</a></strong>

  • Arugula Salad With Balsamic And Toasted Hazelnuts

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/arugula-salad-with-balsam_n_1055737.html" target="_hplink">Arugula Salad with Balsamic and Toasted Hazelnuts recipe</a></strong>

  • Polenta Pizzas With Mozzarella, Baby Tomatoes And Arugula

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/polenta-pizzas-with-mozza_n_1057505.html" target="_hplink">Polenta Pizzas with Mozzarella, Baby Tomatoes and Arugula recipe</a></strong>

  • Ravioli With Arugula And Pecorino

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/ravioli-with-arugula--pe_n_1062231.html" target="_hplink">Ravioli with Arugula and Pecorino recipe</a></strong>

  • Arugula Salad With Parchment-Roasted Tomatoes And Garlic

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/arugula-salad-with-parchm_n_1057311.html" target="_hplink">Arugula Salad with Parchment-Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic recipe</a></strong>


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