Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios

Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios Recipe from New Zealand

Region / culture: New Zealand | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 2 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

This Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a summer barbecue. The combination of sweet peas, tangy feta cheese, crunchy pistachios, and fresh mint creates a delicious and satisfying salad that is sure to impress your guests.

History

This recipe is a modern twist on a classic pea salad. Peas have long been a staple in many cuisines around the world, prized for their sweet flavor and nutritional value. By adding feta cheese, pistachios, and mint, this salad takes on a Mediterranean flair that is both delicious and nutritious.

Ingredients

1 cup of peas
80 ml of olive oil
1 white onion, finely sliced
1 tbsp of dijon mustard
60 ml of red wine vinegar
1 tbsp of honey
salt and pepper
0.33 cup of shelled pistachios
0.25 cup of mint leaves
0.5 cup of snow pea sprouts
100 g of feta cheese

How to prepare

Blanch the peas in a pan of boiling water for 2 minutes, or until they turn bright green and become tender.
Drain the peas and refresh them in cold water.
Heat 1 tsp of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion and stir for 1-2 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
For the dressing, place the mustard, vinegar, and honey in a bowl.
Whisk in the remaining oil, then season with salt and pepper.
Place the onions, peas, and pistachios in a large bowl with the dressing and toss to combine.
Add the mint and pea shoots and toss gently.
Crumble the feta over the top.

Variations

Add some cooked quinoa or couscous to make this salad more filling.
Swap out the feta cheese for goat cheese or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
Use walnuts or almonds instead of pistachios for a different nutty crunch.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to blanch the peas for just 2 minutes to maintain their bright green color and crisp texture.

- Toasting the pistachios before adding them to the salad will enhance their flavor and crunch.

- Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad just before serving to prevent it from becoming too soggy.

Serving Suggestions

This salad is best served chilled, making it perfect for a summer picnic or barbecue. It pairs well with grilled chicken or fish, or can be enjoyed on its own as a light and refreshing meal.

Cooking Techniques

Blanching the peas helps to retain their bright green color and crisp texture.

- Toasting the pistachios before adding them to the salad enhances their flavor and crunch.

- Crumbling the feta cheese over the top of the salad just before serving prevents it from becoming too soggy.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use frozen peas if fresh peas are not available.

- Substitute white wine vinegar for red wine vinegar if desired.

- Use arugula or spinach in place of pea shoots if needed.

Make Ahead Tips

This salad can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just be sure to wait to add the feta cheese until just before serving to prevent it from becoming too soggy.

Presentation Ideas

Serve this salad in a large bowl or on a platter, garnished with extra mint leaves and a sprinkle of pistachios. The vibrant colors and fresh flavors will make this dish a standout at any gathering.

Pairing Recommendations

This Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios pairs well with a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. It also goes well with a light beer or sparkling water for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply let the salad come to room temperature or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios contains approximately 300 calories. This makes it a light and healthy option for a meal or side dish.

Carbohydrates

This salad is a good source of carbohydrates, with approximately 20 grams per serving. The peas and honey provide natural sugars, while the pistachios and feta cheese add fiber to help keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Fats

The olive oil and feta cheese in this salad provide healthy fats that are essential for brain function and overall health. Each serving contains approximately 15 grams of fat, with the majority coming from the olive oil and feta.

Proteins

This salad is a good source of protein, with approximately 10 grams per serving. The feta cheese and pistachios are both rich in protein, making this salad a satisfying and nutritious option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Vitamins and minerals

Peas are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and magnesium. The mint in this salad adds even more vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and potassium. The feta cheese provides calcium and vitamin B12, making this salad a well-rounded and nutritious choice.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (feta cheese) and tree nuts (pistachios), so it may not be suitable for those with allergies to these ingredients. Be sure to check for any other allergens in the ingredients you use.

Summary

Overall, this Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios is a nutritious and delicious option for a light meal or side dish. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, making it a healthy choice for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Summary

This Pea, Feta and Mint Salad With Pistachios is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light lunch or side dish. Packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, this salad is a healthy and satisfying option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Enjoy the fresh flavors of sweet peas, tangy feta cheese, crunchy pistachios, and fragrant mint in every bite.

How did I get this recipe?

I recall the feeling of curiosity that washed over me when I found this recipe for Pea, Feta, and Mint Salad with Pistachios. It was a warm summer day, the kind of day that just begs for a light and refreshing dish to enjoy. As I flipped through an old cookbook that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother, I stumbled upon this unique combination of ingredients that intrigued me.

I have always been drawn to recipes that are a little bit out of the ordinary, and this one certainly fit the bill. Peas, feta cheese, mint, and pistachios – a combination that I had never even considered before. But something about it spoke to me, and I knew that I had to give it a try.

As I read through the instructions, I realized that this recipe was unlike anything I had ever made before. It required a delicate balance of flavors and textures, with each ingredient playing a crucial role in creating the perfect harmony. The sweetness of the peas, the tanginess of the feta, the freshness of the mint, and the crunch of the pistachios – all coming together to create a symphony of taste in every bite.

But where did this recipe come from? How did it come to be? These were questions that lingered in my mind as I set out to make this dish for the first time. I decided to do a little digging, to see if I could uncover the origins of this intriguing recipe.

I reached out to some friends who shared my passion for cooking, hoping that perhaps one of them had heard of this dish before. To my surprise, one of them had a story to tell. It turns out that this recipe had been passed down through generations in her family, originating from a distant relative who had traveled to Greece many years ago.

According to my friend, the recipe for Pea, Feta, and Mint Salad with Pistachios was a traditional Greek dish that had been adapted and perfected over time. It was a dish that celebrated the flavors of the Mediterranean, with each ingredient carefully selected to reflect the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape of the region.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, I set out to make this recipe with a newfound sense of purpose. I carefully measured out the peas, crumbled the feta cheese, chopped the fresh mint, and crushed the pistachios, paying close attention to every detail along the way.

As the salad came together, I could already tell that it was going to be something special. The colors of the ingredients popped against the crisp white bowl, each one adding its own unique flair to the final dish. I took a tentative taste, unsure of what to expect.

But as soon as the flavors hit my tongue, I knew that I had stumbled upon something truly extraordinary. The sweetness of the peas was perfectly balanced by the tanginess of the feta, while the mint added a fresh and herbaceous note that tied everything together. And the pistachios? They provided the perfect crunch, adding a textural element that elevated the dish to new heights.

I couldn't believe that I had never tried this recipe before, that it had been hiding in plain sight all along. It was a reminder that sometimes the most amazing discoveries are right in front of us, just waiting to be uncovered.

And so, armed with this newfound recipe, I shared it with my friends and family, spreading the joy of Pea, Feta, and Mint Salad with Pistachios to all who would listen. It became a staple at family gatherings and dinner parties, a dish that never failed to impress.

As I sit here now, reflecting on the journey that led me to this recipe, I can't help but feel grateful for the serendipitous moment that brought it into my life. It's a reminder that sometimes the best things come from unexpected places, and that a little bit of curiosity can lead to the most delicious discoveries.

So the next time you find yourself flipping through an old cookbook, feeling that familiar spark of curiosity, I urge you to follow it. Who knows what amazing recipes you might uncover along the way?