Description
A fresh and vibrant spring salad featuring sweet peas and mint, dressed with lemon and olive oil, topped with creamy feta cheese and crunchy toasted pine nuts. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh sweet peas (or frozen)
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (or goat cheese)
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (or chopped walnuts/almonds)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Blanch Peas: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the peas for 3 minutes until tender but still bright green. Drain the peas and immediately cool them under cold running water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cooled peas with the chopped fresh mint leaves, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix gently to evenly distribute the flavors without mashing the peas.
- Add Cheese and Nuts: Fold in the crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts carefully, ensuring the peas retain their shape and texture for visual and flavor balance.
- Serve or Chill: The salad can be served immediately for a fresh taste or chilled in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit pine nuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Frozen peas work well as a convenient alternative to fresh peas.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially considering the saltiness of feta cheese.
- Mint leaves can be substituted with fresh basil or parsley for a different flavor profile.
- Serve the salad chilled for a refreshing spring or summer dish.
