Little Gem Pea Salad Food

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH HORSERADISH DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons capers (patted dry) and fry until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove with a spoon; drain on paper towels. Toss 1 minced small shallot with 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a large bowl; let sit 10 minutes, then whisk in 1/2 cup creme fraiche, 2 tablespoons horseradish (drained), 1 teaspoon each lemon zest, Dijon mustard and kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add 4 small heads Little Gem lettuce and 2 heads red endive (leaves separated), 1 cup sugar snap peas (strings removed and sliced), 6 thinly sliced radishes and 1/3 cup chopped dill; toss. Top with the fried capers.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH GARLICKY ALMOND DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove wilted exterior leaves from each head of lettuce. Cut stems from the lettuce heads, separate leaves and swish in a large basin of cold water, letting any sand or dirt sink to the bottom. Lift the leaves from the water and transfer to a colander. Shake away excess water. Wrap in kitchen towels to dry or use a salad spinner.
• Make the dressing: Put almonds, vinegar and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put leaves in a wide salad bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Dress lightly just before serving, using 2 or 3 tablespoons of dressing and coating leaves well. Taste and add more dressing as necessary. Store any remaining dressing in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

PEA AND LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH FARRO AND PECORINO

Steps:

• Cook farro in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente, 25-35 minutes. Drain and spread out on a baking sheet; let cool.
• Whisk garlic, oil, and lemon juice in a large bowl to combine; season dressing with salt and pepper. Add farro, peas, and lettuce to bowl, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Add pea shoots and toss just until coated. Serve topped with Pecorino.

ENGLISH PEAS WITH GRILLED LITTLE GEMS, GREEN GARLIC AND MINT

Steps:

• Prepare a wood or charcoal grill for direct-heat grilling, or use a grill pan on top of the stove. Trim the tops of the green garlic where the leaves begin to branch out. Peel an outside layer of the stalks and slice thinly on the bias. Or very thinly slice the garlic cloves. Set aside.
• Cut the lettuce in quarters lengthwise and brush all over with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place the lettuce cut-side down on the grill and cook until it has darkish grill marks, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip lettuce quarters to the other cut side and grill for another couple of minutes, then grill on the leafy side briefly. Remove from grill when done.
• Heat 1 cup water, a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over high heat. When the liquid is at a roaring boil, add the peas and garlic and cook, tasting often for seasoning and adding more water as needed, 3 to 8 minutes, or until the peas are just tender. Add the mint leaves and cook 1 minute. The goal is to have just enough water at the end of the cooking time to emulsify with the oil and thicken slightly.
• To serve, spread the lettuce on a platter and pour the peas and their minty, garlicky juices over it. Serve with grilled chicken, roast duck or by itself.

NIGELLA LAWSON PEA, MINT AND AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• First make the dressing: put the oil and vinegar and a pinch of sugar into a large bowl and then put in a decent handful of chopped mint.
• Stir well so all is amalgamated.
• Cook the podded peas for a short time in salted boiling water, just so they are ready, but not soft.
• Taste after 2 minutes and then keep tasting.
• Pour peas in colander and then straight away into the bowl of dressing and let steep for an hour or up to a day.
• Just before serving, stir in about a packetful of mixed salad, the chicory which has been separated into it leaves and the avocado, which should be cut into bite size chunky slices.
• You may need to drizzle a bit more oil after tossing.
• serve this on a big plate.
• Sprinkle with more mint.

SWEET PEAS WITH SHALLOTS AND GEM LETTUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, about 6 minutes. Add peas and 1 tablespoon water. Cook, stirring, until peas are tender and bright green, 4 to 6 minutes. Add butter and lettuce; cook, stirring, until lettuce is just wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper; serve immediately.