Endive, Lemon Balm, and Violet Salad

Not just whimsical and romantic—though this would be the salad lo serve to a Valentine—new violet leaves have a fresh, green, lettuce like quality and come up well before lettuce seeds have even been ordered. The lemon balm usually appears around the same time as the violets. Its pale, gold leaves with the mingled scent of lemon and mint are tender and aromatic, and its cool, spring like flavors sound an uplifting note. The violet flowers look charming scattered among the pale green endive