sugar snap pea salad with miso dressing
Life happenings/observations lately:
1) It’s been cold here. You know this. But what you don’t know is that because of said cold, I’ve upped my not-leaving-the-house-today attractiveness by wrapping my yoga pants/baggy sweatshirt-clad self in a blanket, kind of like an adult-size burrito, and walking/sitting like that inside all day. SO COOL, I am. But also, not freezing.
2) If someone could invent a completely non-alcoholic red wine that actually tastes like decent red wine and could ship me about a trillion bottles of it, I’d be so, so happy. Non-alcoholic Manhattans would be great, too. Oh, and sushi. BECAUSE THEY’RE ALL I WANT. Sigh.
3) Can we talk about maternity leggings? I’m not going to lie, guys, they’re amazing. Good talk.
4) I’m turning into that person who watches — nay, binges on — Friday Night Lights greatly in part because I have a weird marriage-crush on the Taylors but also: Tim Riggins. The end.
5) I made this salad, and it was like the salad angels opened wide the heavens and rained down into the salad all the magical deliciousness that a salad could possibly have. The end again.
Salads have been making more and more of an appearance in our household lately because for one, they’re good for you and for two, they are a great way to get that daily dose of veggies. I’ve been trying to meet my veg quota every day for a few months now and guess what? I actually feel better because I’m meeting it. Who’da thunk? Veggies = healthful goodness feelings.
So, we’ve been replacing our usual dinner go-tos like enchiladas and pasta with things like this brussels sprouts and kale salad (SO GOOD), this BLT chopped salad (OMG) and now, this sugar snap pea salad. It’s got a crunch factor that I can’t get enough of, and it’s doused in that dressing you get on your appetizer salad at those Teppanyaki grill-style Japanese restaurants where they cook in front of you and it gets really awkward when they flip the egg over and over with a spatula (to show their cooking skills, apparently) but it accidentally falls too soon and breaks right onto the grill. YOU know.
Now generally yes, I like to keep my recipes on here within the realm of seasonality and I know this recipe so isn’t. But every once in a while, a recipe just sounds too good for me to pass it up based on season. And so, this salad came to be on a cold January weeknight. And it was welcomed with open arms (and mouths).
Of course, if you want some seasonality, you can serve it with Cara Cara orange segments (which I tried for the first time recently thanks to inspiration from this gal and it was instant love) and it will be a very good idea. Just like the adult-size burrito blanket.
Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Miso Dressing
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1/2 lb sugar snap peas
- 1/2 lb Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
- 4 medium-large radishes, thinly sliced
- 3 large green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (in a 300 degrees F oven for 10 minutes)
For the dressing:
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons sweet white miso, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons tahini or sesame seed paste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop snap peas into water; boil 2 minutes until bright-green and softened but still crisp. Drain, then immediately transfer to an ice-water bath in a medium bowl and let cool completely. Drain, then pat dry. Chop peas into thin slices and place in a large bowl.
- Add sliced cabbage, radishes and green onions to bowl. Toss lightly.
- Combine all ingredients for dressing in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and add more miso as needed.
- Drizzle dressing over salad, then toss lightly again. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link.
What a gorgeous salad! Even if it is a little out of season that is ok:-) the oranges would be a nice touch!
Oh girl I hear you on the wine and sushi. I’m not a huge drinker, but I guess because I couldn’t have it when I was pregnant, I wanted it even more! And funny story – after giving birth, Lucas went and got us sushi for our first night in the hospital! LOL.
I love the white miso dressing – I’ll have to definitely trying this!
lol, you kill me. I’ve never been pregnant, but those maternity leggings could probably be used around the holiday…also, I’m marathon training and not drinking so I feel you on the non-alcoholic red wine!! Also, this salad? YES!
I am sitting in a burrito blanket as I type this! No lie–last night, I got up to go to the bathroom while in burrito (um, did I just type that?) and was going to attempt to hike it up before I realized what a terrible idea it was. I think it’s becoming a part of me!
This is so pretty and that miso dressing sound so good!! Love the colors and the crunch!
It’s not even that cold here but I want to be a human burrito! And eat this salad, of course.
HA! I too am currently wrapped like an adult burrito! Love this salad and that dressing, my friend!
Lol you are too funny! But I feel like I’ve been existing in a burrito blanket too. Soiled it with chocolate yesterday as I attempted to check a cake in the oven with blanket on. This is such a pretty salad. I love the miso dressing!!
All these are actually in season where I live, so I have no problem with it! I love balance you created with the sweet, bitter and crunchy here. Also that dressing, My new fave combo too.
I just love your posts.. I can so remember those pregnancy cravings, except when I was pregnant no one told me I couldn’t eat sushi, (yes it was THAT long ago). Sadly, I didn’t like sushi back then, a travesty, I know. This salad so lovely is definitely comfort food of the best kind. Beautiful!
Lauren — I just can’t do the winter thing with my food all day every day anymore, ya know? 🙂 Thanks, dear!
Steph — I really want to give birth and then as immediately as possible have a glass of red wine and sushi. I might even put it in my birth plan. 😉
Ali — Isn’t it the best dressing ever? I could eat it with a spoon.
Katrina — I’m pretty sure maternity leggings would DEFINITELY come in handy over the holidays. They’re amazing. 😉 Thanks, friend!
Erin — Ohhhh… been there, done that. 😉
Tieghan — Thanks, girl! And thanks for the nudge to try Cara Cara oranges… I’m in LOVE.
Kathryn — It’s a good combo for any weather, really. 🙂 Thanks, lady!
Laurie — Me too — burrito blanket twins! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Zainab — Oh I know that scenario all too well. That, and almost tripping on it while trying to walk up the stairs. 😉 Thanks, dear!
Belinda — Oh perfect! Yours will taste even better, then! Also I’m buying a ticket to Australia right now to get some of that summer produce. 😉
This salad looks so wonderful and refreshing! I love the Miso Dressing!!!
Maria — I sort of wish that no one knew about the sushi thing these days… but I guess it’s a good thing to be safe or something. 😉 Oh well, I can wait a few more months, sigh. Thanks, dear!
Layla — Thanks, lady! The dressing is the best part. 🙂
This sounds SO good! Love that miso dressing. And I totally hear you on the weirdo marriage crush on the Taylors. And even my husband refers to Tim Riggins as my boyfriend. It’s totally normal.
Oh, I’m obsessed with miso right now and trying to eat more salads, so I’ll definitely have to try this! I also have the Smitten Kitchen cookbook and love it, so I’ll have to look this up in there. Stay warm, future mama!
Wow, this is an absolutely beautiful salad and very creative. Your site and photographs are so well done! Look forward to seeing more (especially healthy recipes). Great food for you and your soon-to-be little one! Cheers!
This look great! I love a good hearty salad and the dressing sounds amazing. Ha, I lol’d when I saw red wine and sushi going on the birth plan! You should definitely share this with the doctor with your most serious face.
Marie — Phew, I’m glad to know I’m not alone in that. 😉 Thanks, lovely!
Sara — I love that book so much — I could live just off of her recipes, no joke. Hope you love the salad! And thanks for the warm wishes 🙂
Danielle — Thank you so much! I’m hoping to post more healthy recipes, too (along with cake and bread, of course — got to have balance ;)).
Nicole — She’d totally fall for it and then I’d feel horrible, ha. On the other hand… maybe that works in my favor? 😉 Thanks, gal!
An adult sized burrito.. ha too funny! This salad looks amazing.. and should be eaten at all times of the year.. in season or out..
Oh Stephanie, you’re so funny and spot on between the “blanket burrito wear” and the maternity leggings. I wore the BBW myself yesterday (in SC!) and the leggings 18 years ago in Germany where my red hairded kiddo was born while Hubs was active duty Army. Those leggings were my best friend, so much so that by the time “the Screamer” (don’t let that scare you, it was the nickname the nursery gave my little angel, surely in sarcasm) came along they were totally worn out on the inside of my legs. We had a little ceremony of disposing of them as they had taken on a life of their own!
Now as for that salad, it looks totally delicious and good for you, as in no rubbed out maternity leggings!! Have a good one and stay warm!
Lol you crack me up girl:) I’ve been wrapped in a burrito blanket in the mornings too since that’s when it’s the coldest here brrr….aaw & totally hear ya on the wine and sushi – it seems like your body craves for them more just because you can’t have any:( This salad looks awesome though and I love the miso ginger dressing!
I love snap peas and that miso dressing sounds incredible!
I’ve been craving miso dressing lately and I think it’s about time I actually make it myself. This salad looks so perfect!
This recipe reminded me how much I miss radishes 🙂 Looks great!
I have TOTALLY been eating salads lately!! Maybe it’s because I’m living in this polar vortex (doing my best to keep warm in my blanket burrito, too!) and am just craving anything that the sun touched. I don’t know. What I do know – I cannot get enough of the veggies!!! And this salad, oh my goodness, is pretty much in line with what I’m craving these days. The crunch – yes. The dressing – yes yes yes. My kids love the hibachi style restaurants, especially the salad! I’m thrilled to have this recipe to make at home now! You rule!!!!
This looks delicious! And it is the second recipe I’ve seen tonight with miso, which I have never used. Where do I find it? I believe there are different types of miso – is that correct?
I blanket burrito also!! It is the ONLY WAY TO BE WARM. Turning the heat on just doesn’t cut it some days. I would be the only one eating this salad if I made it, but that is A-OK with me! Sharing is overrated anyways. And MISO = love.
Erika — I wholeheartedly agree. 🙂
Kiki — Ha! Love it. I bought a second pair of leggings because I wear them so often. Between that and the BBW, I’m set. 😉
Kelly — Right? You always want what you can’t have. Except for this salad. I can eat as much of this salad as I want. 🙂 Thanks, girl!
Laura — Thanks, dear! I could drink the dressing alone, no lie.
Bianca — It’s a great time to make it yourself; you’ll love it. 😉 Thanks!
Medeja — Gotta love a good radish. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Gretchen — Thanks, dear! Hooray for salads in winter — whatever gets us through these polar vortexes! 😉
Mary — Yep, there are several different types. I used sweet white miso for this recipe, but you can also use yellow. There’s also red miso. I found mine near the dairy products, actually — but they were also by the produce (where the egg roll wrappers, etc. are).
Joanne — Kinda wish I didn’t have to share this salad (oddly, the husband loved it… A SALAD). So really, you’ve got it made — especially if you eat it while wrapped like a burrito. 🙂
I have no desire to wear anything but sweats. I’m all about walking around wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. I love leggings. I have far too many pairs and I could wear them 24/7. This salad is amazing. I’m all about sugar snap peas.
I have also been binge-watching Friday Night Lights recently, and completely agree 🙂
You made me giggle….this salad looks like crunchy, crunchy heaven. Pinning immediately.
I just love the dressing!! Oh and maternity leggings really are the BEST! 😉
Jennie — Yes to sweatpants and fuzzy blankets! And leggings 24/7. 🙂 Thanks!
Audra — Right? OBSESSED.
Kate — It is exactly that. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Julia — Seriously. I might even wear them post-pregnancy, I love them so. 🙂 Thanks, friend!
Love the maternity leggings…AND this salad! Delish 🙂
Lisa — Two of my favorite things! 😉 Thanks, friend!
I’d be happy to hang out in comfy clothes, wrapped in a blanket and watch Friday Night Lights. I love all three of those things! I hope all is well! 🙂
I’m SO going to use this dressing recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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