| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 200 | 11g | 4g | 18g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 4g | 6g | 0.65g |
I’ve always believed that the best recipes are those that carry a story, a piece of history. This one is no exception. Allow me to introduce you to my delectable Pea Sprouts Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. It’s a light and refreshing dish that’s a delightful contrast to my heavier, more traditional Italian-American recipes. Yet, it’s every bit as beloved and is a testament to the versatility of the culinary traditions I so cherish.
A Fresh Dish with a Twist
Think back to the classic salad. It’s a dish that graces countless tables and complements a variety of meals. Now imagine taking that simple salad and infusing it with a flavor-bursting lemon vinaigrette dressing, fresh and ripe diced fruits, a generous sprinkle of richly-flavored feta cheese, and a crunch of roasted walnuts. That’s exactly what the Pea Sprouts Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette brings to your table.
Health At the Heart of the Dish
While flavor is indeed the foundation of any excellent dish, the health benefits this salad brings to the table are both notable and numerous. It boasts a substantial amount of fiber from the fruits and sprouts, beneficial fats from the walnuts and extra virgin olive oil, a decent hit of protein from the feta cheese, and an impressive range of vitamins and minerals from all its fresh ingredients.
This dish aligns perfectly with my love for hiking and keeping fit. The energy from this salad fuels me, while the tasteful blend keeps my palate excited.
Recipe Pairings
The Pea Sprouts Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette pairs exquisitely with a wide range of dishes. For those who share the same Italian lineage as myself, you’ll find it a surprising but delightful complement to a robust spaghetti meatball dish. For seafood lovers, this salad lends a refreshing touch to a serving of grilled salmon or shrimp. And for those among you who follow a vegetarian lifestyle, consider pairing this salad with a hearty chickpea curry or a vibrant stuffed bell pepper dish.
In conclusion, this salad is a celebration of healthful ingredients, flavorsome additions, and the joy of creating something truly delicious. Olive oil, feta, fruits – these are admittedly not the first things that come to mind when my Italian roots are mentioned, yet they are integral to this dish. It just goes to demonstrate that the language of food is nuanced, full of delightful surprises that make for an exciting culinary journey. I genuinely hope you enjoy making this salad as much as I do.
What You’ll Need
- 2 bunches of fresh pea sprouts
- 2 cups of diced fruits (such as strawberries, apples, and blueberries)
- 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup of roasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing the salad ingredients. Rinse the 2 bunches of fresh pea sprouts under cool water and pat them dry. Place them in a large salad bowl. Then, add the 2 cups of diced fruits – they can be of your choice, such as strawberries, apples, and blueberries, but ensure they complement the flavor of the pea sprouts. Finally, add 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese and 1/2 cup of roasted walnuts to the bowl.
Step Two
Now, prepare the lemon vinaigrette. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, the minced garlic, the zest of 1 lemon, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Whisk these ingredients together until they combine and form a smooth dressing. If desired, season your vinaigrette with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Three
The final step is to assemble the salad. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the pea sprouts, fruits, cheese, and walnuts. Toss the salad carefully so all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. You may choose to add additional salt and pepper to taste.
Step Four
Enjoy your Pea Sprouts Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette immediately, or refrigerate it for up to two hours to allow the flavors to meld together. This salad makes a refreshing side dish or a light main course.
