Imagine a vibrant, crisp salad that captures the essence of spring in every single bite. This Pea and Asparagus Salad is not just a side dish—it's a celebration of fresh, seasonal vegetables that will transform your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Bursting with bright flavors, tender-crisp textures, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing, this recipe is about to become your new go-to dish for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to a gourmet lunch.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh peas
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Rinse the fresh peas under cold water and set them aside to drain. Trim the tough ends off the asparagus and cut the spears into 2-inch pieces.
- Fill a medium-sized pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Carefully add the asparagus pieces to the boiling water. Blanch the asparagus for about 2 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- After 2 minutes, add the fresh peas to the pot with the asparagus and continue to boil for another 1-2 minutes until the peas are tender but still vibrant in color.
- Once both the peas and asparagus are cooked, drain them in a colander and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and maintain their bright color. Let them sit in the ice water for a few minutes, then drain again.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched peas and asparagus. Drizzle with 1/4 cup of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the vegetables evenly.
- Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Be sure to mix well so that the seasoning is distributed throughout the salad.
- Finally, sprinkle 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the salad. Toss gently once more to incorporate the cheese.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for a short time to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Tips
- Always use the freshest ingredients possible. Look for bright green, firm asparagus and plump, vibrant peas.
- The key to maintaining the vegetables' beautiful color and crisp texture is the blanching and ice bath technique. Don't skip the ice water step!
- For extra flavor, try toasting the Parmesan cheese lightly before sprinkling it over the salad.
- This salad is best served immediately or within a few hours of preparation to maintain its fresh taste and texture.
- Feel free to add additional herbs like fresh mint or chives for an extra layer of flavor.
- If you want to make the salad more substantial, consider adding some toasted pine nuts or grilled chicken.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 206kcal
Carbohydrates: 11g
Protein: 7g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 8mg
