Spring Vegetable Salad Food

SPRING VEGETABLE SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND RADISHES

Steps:

• Blanch peas if needed: If using fresh or frozen peas that are sweet and tender, leave them as is and add into a large bowl. If the peas are a bit starchy, blanch in a pot of salted boiling water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain peas, and immerse in ice water, then drain and put in a large serving bowl. Set aside.

SPRING VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon each dijon mustard and honey in a large bowl; whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil. Shave or thinly slice 1 bunch baby carrots, 6 radishes and 1/4 red onion; add to the bowl along with 6 cups torn lettuce and 1/4 cup each sunflower seeds and torn mint; season with salt and pepper and toss.

SPRING VEGETABLE SALAD WITH HORSERADISH AND LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the dressing, combine the white wine vinegar, horseradish and lemon extract in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Whisk in the olive oil and season to taste with salt.
• Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Set up a bowl of ice water next to the stove and set a colander inside the ice water (so no ice is inside the colander). Stir a little salt into the water.
• Add the vegetables in separate groups to the boiling water and cook each batch until just tender, about a minute; each vegetable should still have a little snap. Leave all the vegetables to cool and mix in the ice water after cooking.
• Drain the vegetables well and pat dry. Add the cooked vegetables, radishes and cucumber to the bowl with the dressing and toss well to combine. Season to taste with salt. Transfer to a platter and garnish with the dill and mint or pea tendrils.

SPRING VEGETABLE ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan full of water to a boil. Turn off the burner, add in asparagus pieces and blanch for 2-3 minutes. While the asparagus is in the water, heat one tablespoon olive oil in a small sauté pan. Add in shallots and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until tender. Drain the asparagus and rinse with cool water.
• In a large bowl add cooked orzo pasta, asparagus pieces and sautéed shallots and garlic. Drain artichoke hearts and quarter them, adding them to the bowl. Add in sun-dried tomatoes with oil and lemon zest. Stir to combine.
• In a small bowl or container, whisk together lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper. While continuously whisking, slowly pour olive oil into the vinegar. Once emulsified, stir the dressing into the salad. Move to the refrigerator for at least 5 hours for flavors to combine. Serve cold.

SPRING VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook noodles in boiling salted water until al-dente. Drain and rinse in cool water.
• Place drained noodles in a large bowl and add the next five ingredients. Mix well.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients. Adjust salt if needed.
• Pour dressing onto the noodle/vegetable mix and toss to coat.
• Chill for several hours before serving.