Summertime salad of smoked salmon and pea shoots
Perhaps for the first time since we moved to England, it feels like we are having a proper summer. At least the longest spell of sunny days in a row. So many flowers are sprinkled though the fields and grasses, the evenings are long and warm, and the farm shops bursting with lovely produce and [...]
Perhaps for the first time since we moved to England, it feels like we are having a proper summer. At least the longest spell of sunny days in a row. So many flowers are sprinkled though the fields and grasses, the evenings are long and warm, and the farm shops bursting with lovely produce and salad leaves. All inspiration to prepare simple, delicate cool dishes. We have had quite a lot of these fresh pea shoots around recently. Dainty little greens that have a subtle fragrance – or essence – of fresh peas. I thought these shoots would provide a lovely balance to the smoked salmon, so I set about pairing them up.
Lemon is so evocative of sunshine and has a gorgeous uplifting aroma. I think the juice can be a bit harsh with a lightly smoked salmon so I decided to make a dressing simply of oil infused with the the lemon zest along with some crushed black pepper. And added few capers for a touch of sharpness and contrast.
This is such a simple dish, but so delicious and elegant. As with most things in life, it’s the quality of what you put into it that makes it good. Fresh ingredients and minimum fuss – perfect! I served myself this dish for lunch with some buttered slices of brown bread and an icy glass of water. White wine would have been lovely, but I still had the school run ahead of me!
I’ve put together a recipe which follows, although it’s hardly needed. This salad is really more of an association!
Smoked salmon and pea shoot salad
For two servings
3 tablespoons of good, light salad oil. I use rapeseed oil for this.
zest of half a lemon
half a teaspoon of crushed black peppercorns
200 g of smoked salmon. I prefer a very lightly smoked salmon, but that’s down to what you like best.
100g of pea shoots. Look for these in farm shops or the salad section of fancy supermarkets. Or best of all, grow your own!
2 small teaspoons of capers
What to do:
Add the zest and pepper to the oil and allow to infuse for a while. These are strong flavours and don’t need long, maybe 10 minutes. In the meantime, divide the smoked salmon between two pretty plates. In a bowl, very lightly toss the pea shoots with some of the flavoured oil and then divide the greens between the plates. Sprinkle over the capers. Finally drizzle the oil together with bits of zest and pepper around the plates in an artistic fashion!
Callum Chapman: 1st July 2010
That icy glass of water photo is superb! Great shots and superb looking food!
Stacey & Tash: 1st July 2010
Looks wonderful! I made something similar recently, but with an addition of fruit- I used mango. Love your photos! BTW, it seems that the date above this post is off- it says the 16th of July and if that’s the case, I am in big trouble as I’m not packed and I fly back to the USA on the 17th!
Charlie: 1st July 2010
This looks great Pascale – everything about it…
Pascale Cumberbatch: 1st July 2010
Hi Stacey and Tash, thanks for the visit and noting that glitch. I must say it had me foxed but I think it’s fixed now! yay
Hi Charlie!
After FBC I thought I got motivated to do an upgrade -so been hurting my head trying to learn about widgets, feeds, stats….I’m exhausted!
David: 1st July 2010
Looks absolutely lovely. You are such a talented person. The recipes, the look, the words, the pictures. WOW!
LIZ Woods: 1st July 2010
I love pea shoots, I don’t have space for peas, but a handful of dried marrowfat peas ( from the co-op not the garden centre) soaked and planted in a bowl lasted us for weeks earlier this summer- great in risotto
nina: 1st July 2010
This your new home, funny I feel welcome already!! Awesome salad!!
Kavey: 1st July 2010
Think this is looking fantastic, really appealing.
x x x
Natalie: 1st July 2010
Brilliant site. Everything looks so fresh and appealing. Images really pop out of the page. What a wonderful site.
monica: 1st July 2010
i love your blog!! your photos are awesome-you are extremely talented. what camera do you use?
monica
http://www.balleindianfood.com
pascale: 1st July 2010
Thanks for the visit and comments!
Monica, for these images I used a Nikon D90. It’s a lovely camera.
Pascale
Sarah, Maison Cupcake: 1st July 2010
Just found your new home! I might move in! Everything is shown off beautifully on this template, I must kick myself up backside and get my new site finished too.
pascale: 1st July 2010
Hi Sarah, so nice to hear from you! Thanks – getting the new template going was a bit of an ordeal but I’m really pleased I’ve done it. Now I just need to post more regularly! Px
valentina: 1st July 2010
I love pea shoots. They are so delicate. I never had them with smoked salmon. What a clever idea. The photos are terribly appetizing. Tell me one thing, you say since we moved to England.. were you abroad for a while? forgive me if I am being too nosy. promise won’t pry.
pascale: 1st July 2010
Hi Valentina,
So nice to get your comment. Yes we moved to England a few years ago – before that over ten years in the West Indies and before that I grew up living in many countries. I’m still adjusting to life in the UK!
Vix: 1st July 2010
Hi Pascale,
I agree about the weather! I have lived in the UK for 3 years now and this is the first summer it has really felt like summer.
You photos are brilliant, I am very jealous. I just started a blog and am really enjoying writing about food, but the thing I need a decent camera so I can take beautiful photos like yours. On that note, the session with Alistair Henley looked great.
Vix
Kat Dennis: 1st July 2010
This looks and sounds wonderful. Do you strain the oil after 10 minutes?