Dim Sum, sprouShaved Asparagus, Pea and Pea Shoot Salad

 

1½ cups shelled fresh peas (about 1 pound in the shell)

12 thick spears asparagus, trimmed (as described on page 14)

1 large garlic clove, smashed and peeled

½ tsp. mustard powder

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1 whole anchovy (see Note), chopped

2 T. olive oil

¼ pound pea shootssprou

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 T. grated Parmesan cheese

 

In a pot of boiling water, cook the peas until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain. Using a very sharp knife (or a mandolin if you have one) cut the asparagus into very thin slivers on an angle. Raw asparagus must be very thinly sliced to be palatable. Rub the garlic clove around the inside of a wooden bowl. Add the mustard powder and lemon juice. Mix until the mustard powder dissolves. Add the anchovy and combine well. Add the oil, mixing all the while. Add the peas, asparagus and pea shoots and toss in the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with the Parmesan cheese. NOTE: I prefer whole anchovies cured in salt, which you can find in Italian markets. Soak them for 10 minutes to remove the salt, then rinse and fillet them. You don’t have to remove all the bones, just the spine.