Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Lemony Sugar Snap Pea Salad

LESLIE BUDEWITZ: “Summer time, and the living is easy.” And one reason, of course, is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Even if we aren’t growing them ourselves – and I confess that since I started writing two books a year, my gardens have not gotten the care and feeding – let alone the weeding – they deserve.

Happily, chives and mint need no tending – if they grow at your house, you know both those tasty herbs have minds of their own and spread on the wings of the wind. It’s fun to snip them into summer teas, pastas, and salads. This salad – a variation of a Weight Watchers recipe – takes full advantage of that herby tang. I’ve made it with both mojito mint, a classic green mint, and a combination of mojito and a nameless darker variety that seems to have appeared in my garden without a name tag!

Enjoy!

Lemony Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Salad:
1/4 pound sugar snap peas, about two cups, trimmed (Chinese or flat peas will do fine, if that’s what you’ve got)
1 English cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/4 cup crumbled feta
2-3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
2-3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

Dressing:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and toss in the peas. Cook 1-2 minutes, until peas are bright green and still tender crisp. Drain and rinse in cold water, stirring or tossing to release the heat. Drain and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients. Then slice the peas once, lengthwise, and toss into a large flat bowl with the cucumber, feta, and herbs.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Pour over the other ingredients and toss to mix and coat.

Makes 4 one-cup servings that taste like summer!


(That's feta, not butter!)


Mint and chives, so fresh they're practically still growing!








This salad is terrific with shrimp or any kind of fish, and even by itself!

From the cover of KILLING THYME -- out October 4, available for pre-order now:  

At Seattle Spice in the Pike Place Market, owner Pepper Reece is savoring her business success, but soon finds her plans disrupted by a killer… 

Pepper Reece’s to-do list is longer than the shopping list for a five-course dinner, as she conjures up spice blends bursting with seasonal flavor, soothes nervous brides fretting over the gift registry, and crosses her fingers for a rave review from a sharp-tongued food critic. Add to the mix a welcome visit from her mother, Lena, and she’s got the perfect recipe for a busy summer garnished with a dash of fun. 

While browsing in the artists’ stalls, Pepper and Lena drool over stunning pottery made by a Market newcomer. But when Lena recognizes the potter, Bonnie Clay, as an old friend who disappeared years ago, the afternoon turns sour. To Pepper’s surprise, Bonnie seems intimately connected to her family’s past. When Bonnie is murdered only days later, Pepper is determined to uncover the truth. 


But when Pepper roots out long-buried secrets, will she be digging her own grave?



Leslie Budewitz is the author of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries and the Spice Shop Mysteries—and the first author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction. The president of Sisters in Crime, she lives in northwest Montana with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their cat Ruff, a cover model and avid bird-watcher.

Swing by her website  and join the mailing list for my seasonal newsletter. And join her on Facebookwhere she often shares news of new books and giveaways from cozy writer friends.


10 comments:

  1. Looks great thanks for sharing njlinza@yahoo.com

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  2. Looks great thanks for sharing njlinza@yahoo.com

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  3. THanks, Libby and Normajean! Here's to the tastes of summer!

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  4. Looks amazing!!! Thanks so much. Nothing like fresh veggies in the summer.

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  5. LOVE! Wonderful idea of a fresh Summer salad. Thanks Leslie!

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  6. Thanks, Duffy and Margaret. Much as I love fresh greens, it is nice to have a lettuce-less salad now and then!

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  7. This looks like a really refreshing salad for summer.

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  8. This looks like a really refreshing salad for summer.

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  9. I'm so glad you said that your garden isn't getting the care it needs. Mine isn't either. There aren't enough hours in the day!

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