Ingredients
This recipe shines because of its simple yet high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and flavorful salad that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
- Fresh Spring Peas (500g): The star of the show! Fresh spring peas bring a burst of sweetness and a delightful pop to the salad. Look for bright green, plump pods. If fresh peas aren’t available, you can use frozen peas, but fresh truly elevates the dish.
- Creamy Ricotta Cheese (250g): Use whole milk ricotta for the best flavor and texture. Its creamy, slightly sweet nature provides a beautiful contrast to the bright peas and adds a luxurious element to the salad. Opt for a good quality ricotta for the best results.
- Fresh Mint (1/4 cup, chopped): Mint adds a refreshing coolness and herbaceous note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the peas and the richness of the ricotta. Fresh mint is essential for this recipe; dried mint won’t provide the same vibrant flavor.
- Fresh Lemon (1 large): Lemon zest and juice provide crucial acidity and brightness, cutting through the richness of the ricotta and enhancing the overall flavors of the salad. Use a fresh, unwaxed lemon for the best zest and juice.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3 tablespoons): A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential for dressing the salad. It adds richness, flavor, and helps bind all the ingredients together. Choose a fruity and flavorful olive oil.
- Parmesan Cheese (50g, shaved or grated): Parmesan adds a salty, savory, and umami depth to the salad. Freshly shaved or grated parmesan is preferred over pre-grated for better flavor and texture.
- Pine Nuts (50g, toasted): Toasted pine nuts provide a wonderful textural contrast – a satisfying crunch that balances the soft peas and creamy ricotta. Toasting them brings out their nutty flavor.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors of the salad. Use sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for the best taste.
Instructions
This Spring Pea and Ricotta Salad is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal cooking and mostly just fresh preparation. Follow these simple steps for a perfect salad every time.
- Prepare the Peas: If using fresh peas in pods, shell them. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the peas and blanch them for 1-2 minutes, until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp. Immediately drain the peas and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and retain their vibrant color. Drain the peas again and set aside. If using frozen peas, simply thaw them according to package instructions and ensure they are well-drained.
- Toast the Pine Nuts: Place the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast them, stirring frequently, until they are lightly golden brown and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn them, as they can toast quickly. Remove from the skillet and set aside to cool.
- Zest and Juice the Lemon: Wash the lemon thoroughly. Using a microplane or fine grater, zest the lemon, being careful to only zest the yellow part of the peel and avoid the bitter white pith. Juice the lemon, aiming for about 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
- Prepare the Mint: Rinse the fresh mint leaves and pat them dry. Finely chop the mint leaves.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, gently combine the blanched peas, ricotta cheese, chopped fresh mint, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the salad. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Gently toss everything together to combine, being careful not to break up the ricotta too much. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper to your preference.
- Add Parmesan and Pine Nuts: Just before serving, gently fold in the shaved or grated parmesan cheese and the toasted pine nuts. This ensures the parmesan retains its texture and the pine nuts remain crunchy.
- Serve Immediately: For the best flavor and texture, serve the Spring Pea and Ricotta Salad immediately or shortly after assembling. It can be made slightly ahead, but it’s best when the peas are still vibrant and the ricotta is freshly dressed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 25g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 15g