In Season – The Sweet Pea

This past weekend I went to the Linden Hills farmers market in my neighborhood.  I hadn’t been before and was pleasantly surprised.  It is small and easily manageable, not to mention a 15-minute walk from my house.  My only regret is that I ate before I went.  Red Wagon Pizza had some amazing selections and there was an Indian fusion food truck that had a breakfast samosa that sounded delicious.  Next time I will definitely go hungry. 

This is what I bought: Asparagus - $4; Radishes - $2; Sweet peas - $5; Fresh lettuce mix - $3; Granola - $4.50; Energy bar - $2; and a Zucchini bite - $2 (I know I said I was not hungry but I couldn’t resist).  Total:  $22.50.

Zucchini Bite - it had apples and chocolate chips in it.  So good.

I left inspired.  I am liking this new plan to frequent the farmers markets and buy more than I normally would and to buy local ingredients that are at their peak for the season. 

For dinner, I used the sweet peas as my theme.

As a starter, I rinsed the radishes, trimmed them and cut them in half.  I served them with coarse sea salt for dipping. 

Appetizer

For the cocktail, I had remembered seeing a sweet pea cocktail recipe in Food & Wine and gave that a try.  (Another "goal" of mine is to experiment with new cocktails – Penelope the Mixologist.  I like the sound of that.)

The Sweet Pea Cocktail

Muddled peas add a fresh twist.

Makes 1

Recipe by Mary-Frances Heck; April 2013

Muddle 2 tablespoons fresh (or frozen, thawed) peas, 1 lemon wedge, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a cocktail shaker until peas are completely mashed. Add 2 ounces vodka; fill shaker with ice. Cover and shake until outside of shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a pea tendril (optional).

My Version:  I followed the recipe but added some mint to give it a fresher taste.  I also ended up adding a tiny drip of green food coloring because mine wasn’t as green as the photo in the mag.  It was a mistake because the drink ended up looking like something you’d see in 21-year-old's hand on St. Patty’s Day.  

Verdict:  It was just okay.  However, there are much better cocktails out there so I doubt I would make it again.  But it was fun to incorporate a fresh vegetable in the mix.  

Fresh Snow Pea Salad

Contributed by Daniel Humm

·        TOTAL ACTIVE TIME:35 MIN

·        SERVINGS: 8

Slideshow: Summer Salads

• 1 pound snow peas—strings removed, peas sliced on the diagonal 1/4 inch thick
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces thickly sliced pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1/2 small white onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup mint leaves, torn
• 2 ounces shaved Pecorino cheese

Soak the snow peas in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. In a medium bowl, whisk 1/4 cup of the olive oil with the lemon juice and lemon oil and season the dressing with salt and pepper. Add the snow peas.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat until lightly browned and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes.

Scrape the pancetta into the snow pea salad. Add half of the mint, season with salt and pepper and toss well. Garnish with the remaining mint and the Pecorino and serve.

My Version:  I added some arugula because I wanted some “lettuce” in my salad.  I also added some Champagne mustard to the vinaigrette.  I didn’t use lemon oil because I don’t have any. 

Verdict: This salad was really, really good.  In fact, my husband has already asked me to make it again.  I highly recommend it.  Next time I will use a little less mint because it was a little overwhelming.

Pancetta

For the entrée I made lamb chops.   I just seasoned them with salt and pepper and a little cayenne and sautéed them in a pan with olive oil.   I created my own sauce to go on top of the lamb and it turned out great (if I do say so myself).   I got out my food processor and added some garlic, cucumber, and mint, then added plain Greek yogurt, olive oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne.  I would definitely make it again.  My husband even liked it and he does not like Greek yogurt. 

For a side dish I made garlic lemon potatoes.   I just cut up the potatoes, seasoned them with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice and roasted them in the oven.

Cheers to cooking with fresh, season ingredients!