Great British Summer: missing in action? But we do not relent, in my shared garden and in the kitchen!

Just about to pack my bag for my holidays in Italy where the Summer awaits me! However, I must confess I love British summer… ok, in Edinburgh we did not see much of it, but still, my shared garden has been producing broad beans by the ton and the strawberries are coming thick and fast.

So, herewith my offering for you, food lovers; my favourite UK Summer salad. It brings together my favourite offerings, makes a good staple for the lunchbox and can be made up to 48 hours in advance if you omit the seasonings.

Broad bean, potato and fresh onion salad

(serves 1)

- about 200g broad beans, podded
- 4/5 spring onions or other fresh onion (I find that mixing red and white fresh onion works a treat!)
- 150g new potatoes (the small ones) or the equivalent of early potatoes, like the ones I have cropped, i.e. red King Edward!

For the seasoning:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- a good handful of fresh parsley
- a couple of sprigs of thyme

Wash and trim the onions and set aside. Scrub and wash the potatoes carefully. Wash the herbs and leave to dry.
In a pan of boiling, slightly salted water, cook the potatoes, halved or if using normal ones, cut in 1in cubes or wedges, til tender. if you are using new potatoes it could take you up to 20 minutes. About 5 minutes before the time is up, throw in the podded broad beans. Drain the vegetables and while still hot put them in a bowl; add the onions and leave to cool.

In a screw-topped jar, pour in the oil and lemon juice; in a mortar give the herbs a good pounding and add to the liquid ingredients to make the seasoning. Close the jar and give it a good shake, then pour over the vegetables.
As I said, this is best done when the vegetables are still hot so that the flavours can blend.

This salad is good as a side dish (in which case these quantities feed two people), together with, perhaps a nice omelette or some grilled fish. It is also a main course salad-I like having it with a side green salad of rocket and lettuce leaves.

Have a fab end of July, all-I promise some musings from Italia!

Comments

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

Tweet Tags: british, broad beans, herbs, italy, onions, potatoes, recipe, summer, summer salad