This asparagus and sugar snap pea salad is a bright, refreshing, and healthy side dish that's perfect for spring and summer. The asparagus and sugar snap peas are blanched until tender-crisp, then tossed with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Feta cheese and red onion add a bit of extra flavor and texture to the salad.
I first developed this recipe many years ago when I was looking for a light and refreshing side dish to serve with grilled chicken. I had some asparagus and sugar snap peas on hand, and I thought they would be a great base for a salad. I experimented with different vinaigrettes and toppings, and I finally settled on this combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. I also added some feta cheese and red onion for extra flavor and texture.
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 5 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and sugar snap peas and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, sugar snap peas, feta cheese, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
Toss to coat.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
Garnish with peppercorns.
Why It Works
Blanching the asparagus and sugar snap peas helps to preserve their bright green color and crisp texture.
The vinaigrette is simple but flavorful, and it complements the asparagus and sugar snap peas perfectly.
The feta cheese adds a bit of salty richness to the salad, while the red onion adds a bit of sharpness and crunch.
This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables, and it's also a delicious and refreshing side dish.