MELANGE OF ASPARAGUS, PEAS, AND GREEN BEANS

By dymnyno • November 14, 2009 • 1 Comments

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Author Notes: This salad is one of my favorite all time salads...I love it hot or cold. I sometimes make a meal out of it. All the peas, beans and the asparagus are garden fresh and very crispy. (except the jar) The fresh mint and basil really make the flavors sparkle! I sometimes throw on a few cherry tomatoes cut in half for extra color and acid. - dymnyno

Serves 6

1 cup string beans, trimmed
1cup snap peas
1 cup sugar peas
1 cup butter beans cooked (or 1 jar)
1 bunch thin aspargus, cut into 1 inch segments (tough end discarded)
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup chopped fresh basil
3/4 cup olive oil
1 tbs lemon juice
2 garlic cloves
cherry tomatoes (optional)
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Individually blanch each bean and the asparagus. Refresh under cold water after each blanching. Open the jar of butter beans.
In a blender add olive oil, a small handful of each of the beans, garlic cloves and lemon juice. Blend until smooth
To the rest of the beans and asparagus add the blender dressing and toss to coat them with the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the basil and the mint and toss.
Serve hot or cold. Makes a great starter.