Garden Salad Snap Pea Crostini Recipe 465

SNAP PEAS WITH PANCETTA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Place the pancetta slices on a baking rack set in a sheet pan and roast for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 to 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Fill a large bowl with ice water and have a sieve or colander ready in the sink. Put the snap peas into the boiling water for only 10 or 15 seconds, drain, and put immediately into the ice water. Cool completely and drain. Cut each snap pea in half lengthwise and place in a large bowl.
• Place the snap peas in a large bowl and add the red onion.
• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice. Pour enough vinaigrette on the snap peas to moisten. Crumble the pancetta over the salad and add 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Add the Parmesan and toss well.

CROSTINI WITH GARDEN PUREE AND PARMIGIANO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peas, asparagus, and green beans and cook until bright green and crisp tender, about 3 minutes. (If you're using frozen peas, you can throw them in during the last couple of minutes, to thaw.) Drain, transfer to a bowl of salted ice water to stop the cooking, and drain again. Puree the vegetables in a food processor with the ricotta, green onion greens, a drizzle of oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush the bread slices on 1 side with olive oil and put them, oiled sides up, on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned and crisp, about 10 minutes.
• To serve, spread the puree on the warm croutons, and top with shaved Parmigiano (shave with a vegetable peeler). Serve immediately.

SNAP PEA SALAD

Steps:

• Vinaigrette: In a blender, add mustard, vinegar, yogurt, ¼ cup water, a pinch of salt, and 8 grinds of black pepper. Turn on high, and immediately drizzle in the oil; the dressing is fully emulsified when it looks smooth, about 30 seconds. Turn blender off and add another pinch of salt, ¼ cup more water, and Parmesan. Close the lid and blend on high to incorporate the cheese, 10 seconds. The dressing should be thick and creamy, like a Caesar dressing. Makes 3 cups. (Store extra dressing in a lidded container or squeeze bottle in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.)
• Salad: Trim snap peas by pulling off the tough string that runs along the length of the pod. Julienne whole pods lengthwise and add to a large bowl. Trim and julienne snow peas and add 1½ to 2 cups to the bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and 2 grinds of black pepper. Add sunflower seeds and pea shoot tendrils. Trim green tops from radishes, cut in half, then thinly slice and add to the bowl.
• Assembly: With your hands, gently toss the salad with ¼ cup of dressing. Pile salad on a serving platter and garnish with additional pea shoot tendrils.

PEA PESTO CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the pea pesto: Pulse together the peas, garlic, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• For the crostini: Preheat a stovetop griddle or grill pan on medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the sliced bread with olive oil and grill until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the bread to a clean surface and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the prepared pesto on each slice.
• Top with tomato halves and serve.
• *Cook's note: If you don't have day-old bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by putting the slices in a preheated 300 degree F oven until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.