Sugar snaps, snow peas, English peas popped from their pods — these little green wonders confirm that spring finally has sprung. Celebrate the season with these fresh ideas for pea recipes from multiple James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Cheryl Alters Jamison.
Celebrate Spring With These Pea Recipes
Chilled Pea Soup with Mint
Cool soups usher in the warm months ahead. The mint accent mates well with peas, even as it reinforces the soup’s striking emerald color. A perfect prepare-ahead starter for spring lunch or dinner.
Bruschetta with Crushed Peas and Smoked Salmon
Here’s a lovely little tidbit dressed in green, pink, and white. The hints of dill, lemon, and olive oil really elevate the peas without masking their simple sweetness. The smoked salmon adds a delicious counterpoint to this easy-to-make dish. If you pair these bruschetta with Gruet’s sparkling Brut Rosé and a fresh farmer’s market salad, you have a lovely warm weather dinner.
Pea Salad with Greens, Strawberries, and Mint Vinaigrette
This salad’s a toss-up of bright tastes and textures. Some of the vegetables — the peas in pods, in particular — get a light pickling, which adds more interest to the final sweet and savory dish. Should some diced carrot, zucchini, or bell pepper make their way into the pickling … you may find some bespoke nuances you’ll want to keep in your pocket for future occasions.
Green Goddess Pea, Bacon, and Cheddar Salad
Here’s a hearty salad that makes a great side with the season’s first grilled steaks, chicken, or burgers. This updates an American classic, which typically tosses the vegetable mixture with mayonnaise and not much else. Substituting an herb-filled green goddess dressing heralds spring and adds more flavor nuances to the salad.
Pasta Primavera
Manhattan’s legendary Le Cirque restaurant invented this dish back in the mid-1970s. It’s refreshingly retro, both elegant and easy to assemble, at least after you lightly cook the vegetables, which can be done ahead. A chilled Viognier or Sancerre would pair well with this delicious pasta. Invite some friends over.
Story and Recipes by Cheryl Alters Jamison
Food Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Tira Howard
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