Week 50:

The Best Pea Salad

Adapted by Mom on Time Out Blog

Ingredients

• 16 ounces frozen petite peas
• 1/2 small red onion diced
• 1/4 pound bacon cooked crisp and finely chopped
• Dressing
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Remove peas from freezer and place in a colander and allow to slightly thaw while preparing the dressing.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
3. Add the peas, bacon, and red onion and fold/stir to combine.
4. Chill the salad for at least one hour before serving.

I love pea salad in the spring and summer months, and a perfect side dish for your holiday meal.  It is quick, easy and always a crowd pleaser. There are many varieties out there and have adapted Mom on Time Out to my tastes and a reduced calorie diet.  I have included the essentials in my recipe however you can always add in sour cream, or bites of cheddar cheese for a more robust salad.

Enjoy!

Asparagus Mimosa

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 pounds asparagus spears
• 1 tablespoon red wine or sherry vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 1-2 teaspoons minced shallots
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for finishing the asparagus, if necessary
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped capers
• 2 hard-cooked eggs
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley

Instructions

1. Trim asparagus and rinse.
2. To make the asparagus, line a sheet pan with foil, lay asparagus across pan, drizzle with olive oil and roast 350 degrees until tender or desired doneness.
3. While the asparagus cooks, cut the egg whites into very small dice and crumble the egg yolks with your fingers.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the vinegar, salt and shallots with a fork. Let stand 2-3 minutes, then add the mustard and olive oil. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
5. Add the capers and about three-quarters of the parsley to the dressing, as well as three-quarters of the diced eggs.
6. Place the asparagus on a serving plate and pour the dressing over the spears. Use your hands to coat them with the dressing. Sprinkle the rest of the parsley and eggs over the top. If the asparagus has absorbed a lot of the dressing, drizzle additional olive oil over the top, and serve.

This retro side dish is a favorite way to serve asparagus. Perfect for brunch, a light lunch, or as a side for dinner, this combo is a classic for good reason.

You can certainly modify the herbs to your liking. Tarragon, chives, or marjoram would also be nice added to replace some of the parsley. A bit of crumbled bacon on top is also delicious.

Need ideas for a simple brunch dish, or an extra on your dessert table?  This might be just what you are looking for…and it’s a no recipe recipe!