Name: Spring Pea & Mint Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: Fresh or Frozen Peas: 2 cups. The star of the show! Fresh peas are best in spring, but frozen peas work wonderfully year-round. If using frozen, no need to thaw beforehand as we’ll blanch them briefly.; Fresh Mint Leaves: 1/2 cup, packed. Provides a cooling, aromatic counterpoint to the sweetness of the peas. Use spearmint or peppermint for best flavor.; Lemon: 1 large. We’ll use both the zest for aromatic depth and the juice for a tangy, bright dressing. Choose a juicy lemon for maximum flavor.; Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1/4 cup. Forms the base of our simple dressing, adding richness and healthy fats. Opt for a good quality olive oil for the best taste.; Feta Cheese: 1/2 cup, crumbled. Adds a salty, creamy element that balances the sweetness and freshness. Look for feta packed in brine for superior flavor and texture.; Red Onion (optional): 1/4 cup, thinly sliced or finely diced. Provides a subtle sharpness and bite, complementing the other flavors without overpowering them.; Pine Nuts or Toasted Almonds (optional): 1/4 cup. Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Toasting them enhances their taste.; Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste. Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together. Use sea salt or kosher salt for best results.

Ingredients

Fresh or Frozen Peas: 2 cups. The star of the show! Fresh peas are best in spring, but frozen peas work wonderfully year-round. If using frozen, no need to thaw beforehand as we’ll blanch them briefly.
Fresh Mint Leaves: 1/2 cup, packed. Provides a cooling, aromatic counterpoint to the sweetness of the peas. Use spearmint or peppermint for best flavor.
Lemon: 1 large. We’ll use both the zest for aromatic depth and the juice for a tangy, bright dressing. Choose a juicy lemon for maximum flavor.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1/4 cup. Forms the base of our simple dressing, adding richness and healthy fats. Opt for a good quality olive oil for the best taste.
Feta Cheese: 1/2 cup, crumbled. Adds a salty, creamy element that balances the sweetness and freshness. Look for feta packed in brine for superior flavor and texture.
Red Onion (optional): 1/4 cup, thinly sliced or finely diced. Provides a subtle sharpness and bite, complementing the other flavors without overpowering them.
Pine Nuts or Toasted Almonds (optional): 1/4 cup. Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Toasting them enhances their taste.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste. Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together. Use sea salt or kosher salt for best results.

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Instructions

Blanch the Peas (if using fresh or frozen): Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the peas and blanch for 1-2 minutes for fresh peas, or 1 minute for frozen peas, until they turn bright green and are just tender-crisp. Immediately drain the peas and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and retain their vibrant color. Once cooled, drain the peas well. This step is crucial for maintaining the perfect texture and color of the peas, whether fresh or frozen. Blanching also slightly sweetens frozen peas and removes any potential freezer taste.
Prepare the Mint: Gently rinse the fresh mint leaves and pat them dry. Stack the leaves and roll them tightly into a cigar shape. Thinly slice the rolled mint leaves to create a chiffonade. This method prevents bruising and releases the mint’s fragrant oils beautifully. If you prefer, you can also roughly chop the mint.
Zest and Juice the Lemon: Wash the lemon thoroughly. Using a microplane or fine grater, zest the lemon, being careful to only grate the yellow part of the peel and avoid the bitter white pith underneath. Zest about 1 teaspoon. Then, cut the lemon in half and juice it. You should get about 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key for the bright, tangy flavor of the dressing.
Make the Lemon-Mint Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper, then adjust to your liking. The dressing should be bright and slightly tangy.
Assemble the Salad: In a medium to large bowl, combine the blanched and cooled peas, chiffonade of mint, and optional red onion (if using). Gently toss the ingredients together.
Dress the Salad: Pour the lemon-mint dressing over the pea and mint mixture. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to overdress the salad; you want just enough dressing to enhance the flavors without making it soggy.
Add Feta and Nuts (optional): Crumble the feta cheese over the salad. If using pine nuts or toasted almonds, sprinkle them over the top as well. These additions should be added just before serving to maintain their texture and appearance.
Serve Immediately or Chill: For the best flavor and texture, serve the Spring Pea & Mint Salad immediately. However, you can also chill it in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If chilling for longer, add the feta and nuts just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the salad one last time and adjust seasoning if needed. You might want to add a touch more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to brighten the flavors, depending on your preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 180
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 5g