SANDRA’S SPRING ASIAN SWEET PEA GREEN SALAD with HONEY-LIME DRESSING

I created this vibrant and crunchy salad today,

mainly from "green" ingredients I had on hand;

it’s superb and will fare well alongside any main dish...

Servings: (8 to 10)

Prep: 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Dressing:

4 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lime juice

Salad:

6 cups romaine lettuce, torn

1-1/2 cups frozen sweet green peas, thawed, and pat dry

1 (8 oz. can) sliced water chestnuts, drained, pat dry, and cut into slivers

3 ribs celery, diagonally sliced

4 long green onions (green parts only), sliced

Handful of fresh parsley, chopped

--(Or, 2 tablespoons dried parsley)

Garnish:

--Toasted sesame seeds

METHOD

In a medium glass (or non-reactive) bowl, add and whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Toss in all salad ingredients, and fold to combine. To serve, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. ~ Enjoy!

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I served this salad for lunch with homemade meatloaf, and smashed potatoes with sour cream and chives topped with mushroom-sage gravy. We'll also have this same salad this evening for dinner with barbecue pulled pork burgers.

SANDRA'S SNAPPY SALMON-FILLED SNOW PEA POD APPETIZER

A refreshing and delightful
salmon appetizer the crowd tends
to go wild for...

Yields: (30)

Prep:  30 Mins. |
Steam snow peas: 2 Mins.
Refrigerate: 30 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Salmon filling:

2 cups prepared boneless, skinless smoked salmon fillets, flaked

4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

¼ cup sour cream

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon yellow onion, grated

1 small garlic clove, grated

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

½ teaspoon worcestershire

1 teaspoon lemon juice

¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
--(or use smoked paprika if using un-smoked salmon)

Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

Steamed Snow Peas:

1 (6 oz. pkg.) fresh snow pea pods

2 tablespoons water

METHOD

Place rinsed snow peas in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water, being careful not to submerge the peas.  Cover bowl with a damp paper towel, and microwave to par-steam on high for about 1.5 minutes, just until crisp-tender.  Immediately pour hot par-steamed snow peas into a colander and rinse with cold water to quickly chill to retain bright green color and crispiness.  Using a paring knife, slit a tiny piece off end of each snow pea, and  run the knife to butterfly them open along the curved edge forming a pocket for salmon mixture; reserving 3 inside peas per pod.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine all ingredients, except kosher salt and ground pepper, and beat with a hand mixer, just until smooth.  Taste for seasonings, adding kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste if needed.  Place salmon mixture in refrigerator for 30 minutes to ensure firmness.

Spoon salmon mixture into a large Ziploc bag, and squeeze it down to one corner.  Snip end, and pipe filling into each individual snow pea pocket, then place 3 peas on top of each filled pod for garnish. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:  For a quick poached un-smoked salmon recipe in under 10 minutes, click on text below: 

Sandra's Tasty and Moist
Wild Alaska King Salmon Every Time
 - Recipe -