Spring Salad

I use this recipe from Ottolenghi's Plenty More cookbook with all kinds of green veg, meaning this 'spring' salad isn't just limited to the Asparagus growing months (seen below with courgette & pea substitutes). A perfect 2-step recipe for 'how to make green veg interesting' and an excellent Side Salad to most summer mains, including a BBQ or alfresco Sunday roast.

Serving Suggestion: alongside Chicken, Lamb, Beef, Pork you name it, and any slightly meatier fish such as Haddock, Cod or Monkfish.

Difficulty Level: 1

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Ingredients:

Serves 4-6 as a side

• 300g asparagus, trimmed and sliced on a sharp angle into 3-4 thin spears

• 200g french beans, topped

• 300g broad beans (fresh or frozen)

• 50g baby spinach leaves

• 1 shallot, peeled and very thinly sliced

• 1 red chilli, finely diced

• ½ tsp sesame oil

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

• 1 tsp nigella seeds (black onion seeds)

• Salt

The top 4 ingredients can be substituted for any green vegetables; tenderstem broccoli, courgette, peas, edamame beans... all make excellent alternatives.

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Method:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the asparagus for two to four minutes, depending on thickness – you don't want them cooked to very soft. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. Add the french beans to the boiling water, blanch for five minutes and transfer to the asparagus bowl. Drain both well, then dry with a clean kitchen towel. Blanch the broad beans in the same water for two minutes, drain, refresh and dry, then remove and discard the skins by pressing each bean gently between finger and thumb.

2. Put all the greens in a large bowl and add all the remaining ingredients and half a teaspoon of salt. Stir gently, taste, add more salt if you like, and serve at once.

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