Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Friday, July 19, 2013

Sugar snap peas are one of my favorite vegetables. They’re just so crunchy. And sweet.

So it’s no surprise that this salad caught my eye. I whipped up a double batch for a big party we were having. I mixed up the salad and the dressing separately a day in advance and then tossed it all together a couple hours before our guests started to arrive.

I love using radishes in a salad like this. They give a great spiciness that you can’t get from any other ingredient out there. One thing I’d do differently next time is cut back on the goat cheese. When it all got mixed together, the dressing caused the goat cheese to melt some and just coat the peas. I’d prefer it if the peas could shine more on their own without being coated in goat cheese. Don’t get me wrong, I love goat cheese, it was just too much in this case.

If you’re looking for a great salad to take to a cookout this summer, look no further. You can even do like I did and make it in advance. I would just take the dressing in a separate jar and dress it once you arrive at your party.

Two Years Ago: Raspberry Almond Coconut Breakfast Quinoa and Blueberry Crumb Bars
Three Years Ago: San Francisco Trip, Days 1-2 and San Francisco Trip, Days 3-4
Four Years Ago: Goat Cheese Potato Salad

Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Yield: Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds sugar snap peas, trimmed, stringed, cut in half on diagonal
Kosher salt
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 bunch radishes (about 6 ounces), trimmed, thinly sliced
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh mint

Directions:

Fill a large bowl with ice water; set aside. Cook peas in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; transfer to bowl with ice water to cool. Drain peas; transfer to a kitchen towel-lined baking sheet to dry.

Whisk oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Toss peas, radishes, and cheese in a large bowl.

Note - Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover dressing and salad separately and chill.

Add dressing to salad and toss to coat. Season salad with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Garnish with mint and sprinkle with sumac.

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

Side Dish

5 comments »

13 Responses to “Pomegranate Cranberry Quinoa Salad”

#
1

Smitten Sugar — January 20, 2011 at 5:14 pm

I just made Quinoa for the first time myself this week. Love the addition of pomegranate. I will have to try it out!
#
2

Evan Thomas — January 20, 2011 at 5:27 pm

I love quinoa! Never tried it with these ingredients. Great recipe!
#
3

Chelsea — January 20, 2011 at 5:31 pm

I love quinoa, especially in breakfast form! Never had it with pomegranates, yay!
#
4

The Small Boston Kitchen — January 20, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Glad you liked! It’s one of my favorites. Also packages up really nicely for a healthy take-to-work lunch!
#
5

Fun and Fearless in Beantown — January 20, 2011 at 6:49 pm

I adore quinoa because it is so healthy and so filling!
#
6

ErinsFoodFiles — January 20, 2011 at 7:15 pm

Yum yum yum! What a yummy looking quinoa dish! I love quinoa, so if you’re looking to find more quinoa recipes, feel free to browse my blog. 🙂
#
7

Sarah @ Semi-Sweet — January 20, 2011 at 8:26 pm

I love the versatility of quinoa – once you start cooking with it, it’s hard to stop . . . we think it makes a great breakfast, too! Warmed with milk, fruit & a little maple syrup or agave? Energy for the day!
#
8

Nisrine|Dinners and Dreams — January 20, 2011 at 11:26 pm

I love a good quinoa recipe. This one sounds worth a try.
#
9

Shannon — January 21, 2011 at 1:47 am

LOVE quinoa and poms 🙂 this looks like a delicious way to enjoy both ingredients!!
#
10

Daisy — January 21, 2011 at 4:17 pm

don’t worry, I am officially the last one.
#
11

Megan — January 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

I’m glad you tried it! I love quinoa. I think it’s second to Israeli couscous in my book. And pomegranates — love them. This sounds delicious!
#
12

kitchenmisfit — January 23, 2011 at 10:12 pm

I am surprised by the chicken stock! It seems like it should be a sweet dish. I love quinoa and my husband does too!
#
13

Cheryl — January 24, 2011 at 7:22 pm

I have been reading about quinoa the “superfood” and how good it is for us. I bought some awhile back but hadn’t used it so I decided to try your recipe. OMG! I love it! I didn’t have pomegranate seeds and instead of almonds I used toasted pecans and also added orange zest. I will be using quinoa a lot now. Thanks!