Broad Bean And Crispy Pancetta Salad With A Pea Pecorino And Mint Dressing Recipes

PEAS & PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium (10-inch) saute pan, add the pancetta and shallot, and cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is browned and the shallot is tender. Add the frozen peas, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes, until the peas are hot. Stir in the mint, taste for seasonings, and serve hot.

FAVA BEAN AND PEA SALAD WITH PECORINO PEA DRESSING

Steps:

• Thaw a bag of frozen peas in a colander. Cook or rinse 8 oz of Fava beans ( Trader Joes currently carries steamed Fava beans in the deli section) Combine the peas and Beans and toss with the zest of 1 lemon and a splash of olive oil. Set aside and prepare the salad dressing. Combine the raw peas and the garlic clove in a blender or hand blender and mix until smooth. Add the cheese and most of the mint and stir or pulse to make a smooth paste. Add the olive oil and 4 to 5 tablespoons of lemon juice, to your preference. Season to taste. Mix the dressing with the peas and fava beans. Wash/dry the arrugula. Prepare a lemon vinagrette and minimally dress and toss it with the greens. Plate the arrugula and top with the pea/bean salad. . Tear a little mint over the top with a little shaved Parmesan if you like.

PEA, PANCETTA & POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling salted water for 8 mins, or until tender, adding the peas for the final min of cooking. Drain.
• Meanwhile, fry the pancetta in a frying pan until crisp. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice and some seasoning. Throw the potatoes, peas, basil and mint into the pan and stir together. Just as good served hot or cool.

SALAD OF NEW POTATOES WITH PANCETTA, BROAD BEANS & MINT

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in their skins in a pan of boiling salted water. They will take between 10-12 minutes and should be tender when the point of a knife is inserted. Drain the potatoes and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, place the broad beans in a large pan of boiling salted water. Cook for 3-4 minutes then tip in the peas. Boil for another 2-3 minutes until both the peas and broad beans are tender but still have some texture. Now drain and refresh in icy cold water. Remove the outer skins of the broad beans and discard, if you have the time.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the extra virgin olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan and fry the pancetta until really crispy. Then tip the pancetta with its oil into a large bowl. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half lengthways and add to the bowl. Mix well so that the warm potatoes can absorb some of the delicious pancetta flavours.
• In a small food processor or with a hand blender, blend the herb leaves with two tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil. Then add the lemon juice and whisk in the remaining oil to form an emulsion. Season well with salt and black pepper.
• Now throw the peas and the peeled broad beans into the bowl, pour over the dressing and gently mix together. Check the seasoning and serve immediately.