Description
Crisp snap peas dance with tangy goat cheese and toasted almonds in Ina Garten’s refreshing summer salad. Light, zesty flavors bring Mediterranean charm to your table, inviting you to savor each vibrant bite of this elegant side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 pound (454 grams) sugar snap peas
Seeds and Nuts:
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- ¼ cup (59 milliliters) almonds, toasted
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) neutral oil (e.g., canola or vegetable oil)
- 2 teaspoons honey (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) sesame oil
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Meticulously rinse and trim snap peas, removing any tough stems or stringy edges. Pat them dry with clean kitchen towels to ensure crisp texture.
- Carefully heat a dry skillet over medium-low temperature, gently toasting sesame seeds until they transform into a golden-bronze hue and release a nutty fragrance.
- In the same skillet, delicately roast whole coriander seeds until they become aromatic and slightly darker. Transfer to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, crushing into a coarse, fragrant powder.
- Using a sharp knife, slice snap peas lengthwise into delicate, uniform strips approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick, creating elegant, translucent ribbons.
- Combine prepared snap pea strips with freshly ground coriander, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, lightly crushed almonds, rice vinegar, neutral cooking oil, sesame oil, and sea salt in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Gently toss ingredients using a folding motion, ensuring even distribution of seasonings and preventing snap pea strips from breaking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding additional salt, vinegar, or oils to harmonize the flavor profile. Let salad rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
- Plate the salad immediately, garnishing with additional toasted sesame seeds or chopped almonds for visual appeal and textural contrast.
Notes
- Fresh snap peas deliver a delightful crunch and vibrant green color that elevates the entire salad’s texture and visual appeal.
- Toasting seeds carefully releases their hidden nutty essence, transforming ordinary ingredients into an aromatic flavor explosion.
- Balancing sweetness matters – start with recommended honey, then gradually adjust to match your personal taste preferences.
- Thinly slicing peas ensures maximum dressing absorption and creates an elegant, delicate mouthfeel that makes each bite more enjoyable.
- Chilling the salad allows flavors to meld together, creating a refreshing and harmonious dish that tastes even better after resting in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 143 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg