Shaved Cauliflower Salad w/ Spring Peas, Yogurt and Mint

There is so much to love about this crunchy refreshing Spring salad. For starters, fresh plump Spring peas, are just lightly blanched. Shaved cauliflower, shaved Turkish cucumbers, shaved radishes, and lots of fresh mint and scallions, all tossed in a tangy lemony yogurt dressing. The salad can be made ahead and tastes great the next day, and surprisingly even the next!

We are home from Panama, and as much as I love traveling and the beach, I love almost as much, waking up in my own bed. I can not lie, it’s nice to be back to the comforts of home, perhaps a sign of age. And while we were away, an unexpected surprise-  a change in seasons. Spring decided to come early this year. Out of nowhere came yellow buttercups, crocuses, and the soft buds on trees.  Each Spring here in the Northwest feels like a miracle. It doesn’t matter that it happens the same, every year, it’s always so startling.  The trees are filled with happy chirpy birds. The green, is so very green. The world is suddenly very much alive and bursting with new energy, it’s impossible to not feel its buzzing. I’ve been marinating in it.

Those of you who have been here for a while, know I am sucker for fresh raw crunchy salads. They are so energizing and full of nutrients, and they just make me happy, in general.

This salad was inspired by a little gift from Karyna Hamilton, of Flora Yogurt Co., a new locally made small batch yogurt company, right here in Spokane. Karyna offers 3 different varieties- Viili ( Finnish) Filmjolk ( Swedish) and a Mediterranean style yogurt which can be found at Batch Bake Shop, the Rocket Market and The Shop.

For this recipe I used the Mediterranean style yogurt ( or use Greek style).

To start, give the peas a very quick blanch in salted water. Rince with cold water to shock them so they stay green.

Prep all the veggies….
Shave the cauliflower. If you don’t have a mandolin, just chop into bite sized pieces.

Shave or thinly slice cucumbers.

Shave or slice radishes.

Chop a cup of fresh mint –or feel free to sub Italian parsley or dill.

Place all the veggies in a bowl and make the yogurt dressing.

Then gently fold the dressing into the veggies.

Make sure to let the salad rest 15 minutes before serving, so the salt and lemon juice have a chance to be absorbed by the veggies ( otherwise it will seem too salty).

After the salad rests for 15 minutes, serve. It keeps up to 2 days in the fridge.

Garnish with aleppo pepper or micro greens.

Serve this simply in a bowl or on a large platter, or plate it fancifully for an elegant starter.

Hope you are having a wonderful start to your weekend!
xoxo

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