Sea Island Red Peas With Celery Leaf Salad Recipes

SEA ISLAND RED PEAS WITH CELERY LEAF SALAD

Steps:

• Place peas in a medium pot; cover with 6 cups water; let soak for 3 hours or overnight.
• Bring water with peas to a boil (do not drain); boil for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; gently simmer, adding water by 1/2-cupfuls as needed to keep peas covered, until peas are tender but still hold their shape, 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon salt. Season to taste with more salt, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before continuing, adding more water by 1/4-cupfuls if too thick.
• Place garlic on a cutting board. Sprinkle with salt and chop, occasionally smearing with the back of a knife, until a coarse paste forms. Tie thyme and bay leaf with kitchen twine to form a bundle for bouquet garni.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a medium pot over medium heat; add garlic paste, bouquet garni, celery, onion, and bell pepper; cook until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add peas with their cooking liquid; bring to a simmer. Cook until flavors meld and sauce is thickened, 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter. Set aside.
• Toast coriander seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking pan often, until fragrant and slightly darker in color, 2-3 minutes. Let cool. Coarsely grind in a spice mill, or place in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Combine celery leaves, parsley, chives, lemon zest, and crushed coriander seeds in a small bowl; drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and cracked pepper. Divide peas among plates or transfer to a serving bowl; garnish with salad.

MARINATED CELERY SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, maple syrup and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Drop in garlic cloves, stir, and set aside 15 to 30 minutes to let the flavor infuse.
• Gradually whisk in oil; dressing will emulsify. Mix in chickpeas, celery and scallions. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Remove garlic cloves from dressing. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt, pepper, vinegar and olive oil. Set aside to come to cool room temperature.
• If desired, make croutons, for serving: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pull the soft bread out of the center of the loaf, leaving most of the crust behind, and tear bread into bite-size pieces. You should have about 3 cups. Spread pieces on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes, until golden and crisp; let cool.
• Just before serving, mix celery leaves, tomatoes, basil and croutons, if using, into the salad. In a serving bowl, place a layer of greens, if using, in the bottom. Add celery mixture, then top with cheese and more black pepper.

CELERY SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the celery, cherries, peas, parsley and pecans. Stir in the mayonnaise, yogurt and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

CRUNCHY PEAR AND CELERY SALAD

Steps:

• Soak celery in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Whisk together in a large bowl the vinegar, maple syrup and salt. Add pears and stir gently to coat. Add celery, cheese and pecans, stirring to combine. Season with pepper.
• Place the 6 lettuce leaves on plates and divide the salad, placing a portion on top of the lettuce on each plate.
• Serve either chilled or at room temperature.
• NOTE: To toast the nuts, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly browned (about 2 to 4 minutes).
• VARIATION: Instead of cheddar and pecans, try a good Parmesan and toasted walnuts.

CHICKPEA SALAD WITH RED ONION AND TOMATO

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, red onion, garlic, tomato, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for 2 hours before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve.