Recipes: Eight great ways to use arugula

This pungent Mediterranean green was virtually unknown in the United States a couple of decades ago. It is now widely available in farmers markets, though you still won't find it in a typical American supermarket.

It is excellent in salads mixed with fruit or tossed with a sweet, fruity vinaigrette, offsetting the peppery bite of the greens. It also makes good pesto. If you're not familiar with the green, these eight recipes featuring arugula -- ranging from arugula and pear salad to arugula and olive pesto -- are sure to turn you into a devotee.