Description
A light and refreshing Spring Pea and Mint Salad bursting with fresh flavors, featuring tender sweet peas, bright mint, tangy lemon, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy toasted pine nuts. Perfect as a healthy side dish or a light lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh sweet peas (or frozen)
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (or goat cheese)
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (or chopped walnuts/almonds)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Blanch Peas: Blanch the peas in salted boiling water for 3 minutes until they are tender yet still bright green. Drain them and immediately cool under cold running water to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled peas with the chopped fresh mint leaves, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Toss these ingredients gently to evenly coat the peas without breaking them.
- Add Cheese and Nuts: Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts, being careful not to mash the peas. This adds creaminess and crunch to the salad.
- Chill and Serve: Serve the salad immediately for best freshness, or chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- Using fresh peas gives the best flavor and texture, but frozen peas work well if fresh are unavailable.
- Swap pine nuts for toasted walnuts or almonds for a different crunch and flavor.
- For a vegan version, omit the cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting according to your preference.
- This salad is best eaten fresh or within a day to maintain pea texture and flavor.
