There are numerous varieties:

• winter purslane (also known as  miner's lettuce), Claytonia perfoliata, has slightly heart-shaped leaves with a delicate, subtle flavor and which make an attractive garnish. Choose young plants that have not yet flowered.
• golden purslane is the most common. Its lovely pale green, slightly golden leaves are larger and slightly rounded, unlike its cousin green purslane, but there is no difference in the taste.

Purslane can be eaten in large amounts, keeping in mind that high doses may have a slight laxative effect.

• nutritive
• coolant
• anti-inflammatory for the digestive and pulmonary tracts
• diuretic
• emollient
• depurative
• antiscorbutic
• vermifuge

Purslane is distinguished by a juice rich in mucilaginous substances that calm the intestines. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega 3 series, usually found in fish oils and attributed with a positive anti-arteriosclerotic effect, purslane has the property of reducing bad cholesterol while raising "good" cholesterol.

It also prevents the formation of blood clots by reducing platelet aggregation.

Purslane is rich in omega 3 (0.2 to 0.38 g per 100 g), vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium and magnesium.

This plant is also rich in antioxidants and is a staple of the Crete diet. Crete has a large number of purslane varieties that grow wild in the damp valleys.

When young, the leaves and stems can be served in salads and their slightly sour flavor adds an original touch. They are fat and juicy with a slight unassertive earthy flavor. Because of its mucilaginous texture, purslane has become appreciated in Asia, Africa and South America. However it is beginning to appear these days in mesclun (salad green mixtures) found in North American supermarkets.

When cooked, purslane becomes a vegetable - but the result is uninspiring. Simply cook it in water, uncovered to prevent oxidation.

Serve with poultry, roast white meats or grilled fish.

Serve purslane with a vinaigrette (olive oil, cider vinegar and crushed wild blackberries) to serve with thinly sliced smoked duck. You can complete the plate with some julienned yellow beet.

Anne also uses a combination of purslane and chard leaves dressed with a vinaigrette (Meaux mustard, canola oil, cider vinegar and a spoonful of maple syrup). This salad is enhanced with shaved sheep's milk cheese and served with a tartare of venison or other red meat.

Serve the purslane leaves in salad (dressed with Meaux mustard, aged wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper)

- with croutons to accompany smoked eel sprinkled with paprika

-with artichoke hearts and quail eggs

You can also blanch the purslane leaves in boiling salted water; drain and add to the cooking juices from grilled calf's liver just long enough for them to soak up the flavor. Serve with roasted whole garlic cloves.