Patricia Wells's Crunchy Asparagus and Snow Pea Salad

Name: Patricia Wells's Crunchy Asparagus and Snow Pea Salad
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound green or purple asparagus, stems trimmed; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons lemon-infused extra-virgin olive oil; Kosher salt or coarse sea salt; 8 thin slices pancetta (about 1 1/2 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 4 ounces snow peas, sliced on the diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces; 3 ounces semifirm cheese, such as Gouda, Comté, or young Asiago, medium dice (about 3/4 cup); 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (from about 2 medium lemons); 3 tablespoons half-and-half; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more as needed; 1/4 cup roasted, salted whole almonds, coarsely chopped; Crumbled vegetable chips, such as kale chips or carrot chips, for garnish

Salad Asparagus Peas San Francisco Bay Area Easter Dinner Party Gouda Gluten Free Healthy Olive Oil Almonds Kale Side Dish Cheese Spring Summer Easy

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4 servings Easy

Total: 45 mins

5 Ratings

Ingredients (12)

1 pound green or purple asparagus, stems trimmed
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon-infused extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt or coarse sea salt
8 thin slices pancetta (about 1 1/2 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 ounces snow peas, sliced on the diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces
3 ounces semifirm cheese, such as Gouda, Comté, or young Asiago, medium dice (about 3/4 cup)
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (from about 2 medium lemons)
3 tablespoons half-and-half
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more as needed
1/4 cup roasted, salted whole almonds, coarsely chopped
Crumbled vegetable chips, such as kale chips or carrot chips, for garnish

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Nutritional Information

Calories362
Fat29.04g
Saturated fat10.95g
Trans fat0.02g
Carbs10.01g
Fiber4.35g
Sugar4.9g
Protein17.97g
Cholesterol56.54mg
Sodium389.74mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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This salad was created on the fly with ingredients that cookbook author Patricia Wells found at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Filled with crunchy snow peas, almonds, pancetta, and asparagus and tossed with a light, lemony dressing, it’s a perfect lazy lunch when served with a glass of rosé and some crusty bread.

What to buy: Patricia uses a lemon-infused olive oil here, but if you can’t find a similar product, just use regular extra-virgin olive oil and add the finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon.

Watch Patricia assemble her salad in her My Go-To Dish video for Chowhound.

Adapted from Patricia Wells

Instructions

1Place the asparagus in a large frying pan, add the water, drizzle with the oil, and season with salt. Bring to a lively simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover the pan with a tightfitting lid, and simmer until the asparagus is just knife-tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Using tongs, remove the asparagus to a cutting board and set aside until cool enough to handle.
2Meanwhile, place the pancetta in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate; set aside.
3Cut the cooled asparagus into 1-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the pancetta, snow peas, cheese, and lemon zest and toss gently to combine.
4Place the half-and-half and measured lemon juice in a small, nonreactive bowl, season with salt, and whisk to combine. Add to the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and season with additional salt or lemon juice as needed. Top with the almonds and sprinkle with the vegetable chips. Serve immediately.

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Patricia Wells's Go-To Salad

(03:26)

Video from My Food Thing

When culinary legend Patricia Wells agrees to go to the market with you to shop for summer produce, you don't ask questions. You just take your cameras and go. This is an unusual installment of My Go-To Dish: Patricia actually creates a new salad for herself based on the ingredients she finds at San Francisco's Ferry Building. To make her go-to dish your own, see the recipe.