Lunch: Fava Bean and Pea Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Recipe by /contributors/lou-lambert Can't find favas? Double up on peas. No pea shoots? Use mĊche or baby spinach instead.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Poppy Seeds, Lemon

Health benefits of Fava Bean and Pea Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Poppy seeds are packed with calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, and zinc. Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

2 cups shelled fava beans (from about 2 pounds pods) or frozen fava beans, thawed
Kosher salt
2 cups shelled fresh peas (from about 2 pounds pods) or frozen peas, thawed
1/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons (or more) buttermilk or whole milk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
2 heads of Bibb lettuce, leaves separated (about 8 cups)
4 cups pea shoots (tendrils)
1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Instructions

If using fresh fava beans, cook in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a sieve, transfer to a colander set in a bowl of ice water. Drain well and peel; place in a medium bowl. (If using frozen fava beans, cook 2 minutes; do not peel.)
Return water in saucepan to a boil; add peas and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; transfer to colander in ice water. Drain and add to bowl with fava beans. (If using frozen peas, cook 30 seconds.)
Whisk sour cream, goat cheese, buttermilk, and lemon juice in a medium bowl, thinning with more buttermilk as needed, until pourable; season with salt and pepper. Arrange lettuce and pea shoots on a platter, top with fava beans and peas, drizzle with dressing, and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Do Ahead: Fava beans and peas can be cooked 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

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