Swiss Chard and Pea Salad with Green Apple Vinaigrette

Servings: 4

Ease of Preparation: Medium

This recipe is part of the One BIG Recipe: Springtime Dinner

Ingredients:

Pickled Swiss Chard:

• 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ cups (350 ml) water
• ¼ cup (60 ml) salt
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup (240 ml) chopped Swiss chard stems

Green Apple Vinaigrette:

• 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped (core and peel included)
• ½ cup (120 ml) apple juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 cup (240 ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Chard and Pea Salad:

• 3 cups (710 ml) chopped Swiss chard leaves, washed and spun
• 1 cup (240 ml) pea shoots
• 1 cup (240 ml) frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup (240 ml) thinly sliced Honeycrisp or Fuji apple
• ½ cup (120 ml) dried blueberries
• ½ cup (120 ml) toasted walnuts
• 1x 8-ounce (240 ml) can Mandarin oranges
• Pickled Swiss Chard
• Green Apple Vinaigrette

Method:

For the Pickled Swiss Chard:

• In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk just until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
• Allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Place the Swiss chard stems in a glass jar or heatproof container.
• Once the mixture is simmering, pour it over the stems and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Refrigerate until needed.

For the Green Apple Vinaigrette:

• In a blender, combine the Granny Smith apple, apple juice, vinegar, shallot, honey, soy, and Dijon.
• Blend the contents until smooth then, with the machine running, slowly stream in the olive oil to emulsify.
• Season with salt and pepper, and reserve until needed, shaking to re-emulsify before using.

Chard and Pea Salad:

• In a large bowl, combine the Swiss chard leaves, pea shoots, peas, apple, blueberries, walnuts, and Mandarin oranges.
• Using a slotted spoon, strain the Pickled Swiss Chard out of the liquid and add to the bowl. Toss well to combine.
• Drizzle the Green Apple Vinaigrette over the salad, toss well, and serve immediately.