Growing at the Speed of Life - A Year in the Life of My First Kitchen Garden

ASIAN SNOW PEA SALAD

A lovely bright-flavored salad for early summer
when the snow peas are abundant. Depending
on the variety, you may have to detach the
stalk along with the fine string. The younger
they are, the less likely they are to need this
fi ddle.
SERVES 4

For the Dressing
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon grated gingerroot
½ teaspoon hot red pepper fl akes
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Salad
2 cups cooked thin rice noodles
1 cup seedless red grape halves
1 cup fresh (or frozen) snow peas, quickly
blanched and cooled
½ cup sliced green onions
2 cups salad shrimp or chicken breast pieces
(can be replaced by mushrooms, sliced and
briefly sautéed, or tofu)
4 large red leaf lettuce leaves

Combine the vinegar, oil, soy sauce, garlic, gin­
ger, red pepper fl akes, and salt in a blender or
small bowl and set aside.
Toss together the noodles, grapes, snow
peas, onion, and shrimp. Pour the dressing over

and mix well. Let sit 30 minutes for the fl avors

to mingle. Serve on beds of red leaf lettuce

leaves.

Per serving : 229 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat (4%

calories from saturated fat), 21 g carbohydrate, 21 g

protein, 2 g dietary fiber, 428 mg sodium. Exchanges:

1 Starch, 1 Very Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

GREEN PEA DIP



WITH SALSA

A new twist on guacamole, using bright green

peas in place of the higher calorie avocado.

SERVES 4

2 cups fresh shelled peas

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon or lime

juice

1 teaspoon mild chili powder

⅛ teaspoon cayenne (optional)

1 tablespoon minced onion

1 garlic clove, bashed and chopped

⅓ cup prepared salsa

Cook the peas in ½ cup boiling water for

4 minutes, until tender and bright green. Pour

into a food processor along with the cooking

liquid. Add the lemon juice, chili powder, and

cayenne, and pulse until almost smooth. Put

into a medium bowl and stir in the onion, gar­

lic, and salsa.

208 • GROWING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE