Green Goddess Salad

This salad was a bit of an accidental discovery. I had some snow peas (mange tout) in the fridge that needed using up so I just finely sliced them and popped them in a green salad. I just love the crunch and freshness the snow peas add. To make it more of a substantial I’ve added in some avocado and shelled pistachios.

serves: 2
takes: 15 minutes
2 tablespoons rice wine or sherry vinegar
2 handfuls snow peas (mange tout)
1 avocado
1 small bunch flat leaf parsley
small handful shelled pistachios, optional

1. Combine vinegar with 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large bowl. Season.

2. Trim and string snowpeas. Then finely slice them into julienne strips (think long and skinny).

3. Toss snowpeas in the dressing.

4. Halve avocado and scoop flesh into the salad.

5. Roughly chop parsley toss in.

6. Scatter over pistachios (if using) and serve.

Prepare Ahead?

This is one of the few salads that is OK after a night in the fridge. Although the avocado may start to brown. Leave the pistachios until the last minute so they keep their crunch.

Leftover Potential

Will keep for a week or so in the fridge but is better the fresher it is.

Variations

carnivore – skip the avocado and serve as a side dish to roast chicken. Or shred some cooked chicken breast and toss into the salad with or without avocado.

nut-free – replace the pistachios with a few tablespoons of finely diced raw red onion.

can’t find rice wine or sherry vinegar? – no problem. Lemon juice would be just as good, if not better. Add in the lemon zest as well, if you like.

different peas – replace the snow peas with sugar snap peas or raw shelled fresh peas or a mixture of all of the above. If you have some pea shoots, you could use them instead of as well as the parsley.

carb lovers / more substantial – serve with crusty bread + butter

more veg – add chopped carrot, tomato or bell peppers (capsicum) to the salad.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

vinegar, pistachios – pantry.

snow peas (mange tout) – use for another meal or freeze.

avocado – use for another meal.

parsley – will keep in the fridge in a plastic bag for a few weeks. Can be frozen but will wilt when defrosted.

Problem Solving Guide

too bland? – give the sauce a little more seasoning. And a splash more vinegar or lemon juice.

too oily / too much dressing – just transfer the salad to a clean bowl, leaving behind as much of the dressing as possible, then toss in the new bowl to rub some of the dressing off onto the sides. If things are really bad a bit of judicious paper towel blotting will help.

short on time – skip the snow pea chopping.

dressing too sharp – sharpness will vary with your vinegar, so don’t be afraid to balance it out with a little more olive oil.

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