Recipe of the Week: Spring Salads (via A Couple Cooks)

Temperatures are warming, the sun is keeping the evening lighter for longer, and bulbs are peaking their tops out of the soil. It's spring! Here are few spring-inspired side dish recipes from local food bloggers, A Couple Cooks: Radish and Pea Salad with Lemon Oregano Vinaigrette and Grilled Carrots with Lime and Cilantro. If either of these recipes intrigue you, head on over to the Indy Winter Farmers Market on Saturday to pick up the necessary lettuce, radishes, fresh oregano, olive oil, carrots and cilantro. See you Saturday!

Radish and Pea Salad with Lemon Oregano Vinaigrette

 

by: a Couple Cooks

Serves: 4

What You Need

• 1 head lettuce
• 1 bunch radishes
• 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 1 handful fresh oregano
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

What To Do

1. Wash and dry the lettuce; chop it into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the radishes. Zest the lemon.
2. If the peas are frozen, thaw them in some warm water. If the peas are fresh, boil some water, add the peas and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, until tender and bright green, then remove them and rinse with cold water.
3. Chop the fresh oregano. In a canning jar, add the oregano, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and a generous amount of fresh ground black pepper. Shake vigorously to combine. (Alternatively, whisk these ingredients together in a bowl.)
4. To serve, place the lettuce leaves in serving bowls or plates. Top with sliced radishes, peas, crumbled feta cheese, and lemon zest. Drizzle with vinaigrette and top with fresh ground pepper.

Grilled Carrots with Lime and Cilantro

 

by: a Couple Cooks

Serves: 4

What You Need

• 1 pound small carrots (or large carrots cut in half lengthwise)
• 1 lime
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
• A few pinches of cumin
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

What To Do

1. Preheat a grill to medium heat. (or, toss the carrots with olive oil and a bit of salt and pepper, and roast at 400°F for 20 minutes.)
2. Wash the carrots and toss them with a bit of olive oil in a bowl. Place the carrots on the grill and cook until the carrots turn paler in color and a bit wrinkled; flip over and cook the same amount (around 8 minutes total for small carrots; the timing will depend on the thickness of the carrots). When fully cooked, the carrots can be easily pierced with a fork.
3. Roughly chop the cilantro.
4. When the carrots are done, place them in a bowl and toss them with juice from 1 lime, a few pinches kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, cilantro, and a few pinches of cumin.