Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Doctor, Road Works, Exercise Class, Rain.

Much to my delight, I got a phone call today with an appointment to see the vascular surgeon in September, early September too, only trouble it is on a bowling day but not league bowling so I might as well accept it graciously. One big problem is that it is on one of our main streets which has been ripped up at the moment. It will be a couple of years before they have finished, at least, so that makes it difficult to get there. We can do so of course, but..... Everybody is cursing about it, but the city of Kitchener seem to have gone nuts lately with road works. Practically everywhere you go, you can't - well not directly anyway.

I and at least 11 others were a bit teed off today because we all turned up for our exercise class but
nobody came to lead us. One of the biggest classes we have had in a while too. I phoned to find out why and all I have got so far is an apology and saying someone was supposed to have been there. I am supposed to get a call from someone else but I suspect she is trying to find out just what happened.

It's been chucking it down today, Monday, we were getting somewhat dry here again, so it was not unwelcome. Got thunder but didn't see any lightning. Tuesday I have to go see my favourite, the dentist again. This could be my last visit for a while, I hope.

I love snow peas. Maybe it dates back to when I was around 15 and had to walk a fair distance to catch the bus to school, I along with many others, used to use the path through a field as it was quicker than going by road. They used to grow peas and I would pick the pods with under developed peas and eat them on my way. When I saw this dish, I knew I had to have this recipe.

Snow Pea Salad

This bright, crunchy salad gets a hint of smoky sweetness from the maple syrup in the vinaigrette.

Ingredients

  1. 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  2. 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  3. 1 garlic clove, minced
  4. 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  5. 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  6. 1/4 cup canola oil
  7. Kosher salt
  8. Pepper
  9. 1/2 teaspoon black sesame seeds
  10. 1/2 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  11. 3/4 pound snow peas, trimmed
  12. 2 cups shelled fresh English peas
  13. 1/2 cup mixed sprouts, such as radish and alfalfa
  14. 1 radish, thinly sliced
  15. 1/4 cup torn mint leaves
  1. In a small bowl, whisk the cider vinegar with the lemon juice and garlic; let stand for 
5 minutes. Whisk in the maple syrup and mustard, then gradually whisk in the oil. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small skillet, toast the sesame seeds over high heat, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Halve one-third of the snow peas crosswise on the diagonal and julienne the rest. In a saucepan of salted boiling water, blanch the snow peas and English peas until crisp-tender, 30 seconds. Drain and rinse under cold water; pat dry. In a bowl, toss the peas with the sprouts, radish, half of the mint and 6 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Transfer to a platter and top with the remaining mint and the toasted sesame seeds. Serve the remaining vinaigrette at the table.

Have a great day
 

23 comments:

  1. I just picked a pile of snow peas and some mangetout this morning. Good timing again.

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    1. So now you have something different to try with them Helen. Lucky you to have them so handy and fresh.

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  2. I also heard thunder yesterday but without lightning. Scared the bejeesuz out of Charlie and I while watching TV. Thanks for the recipe. My email from F&W yesterday would not open for some reason.

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    1. It did me too. There was one crack of thunder and lightning right over us and I jumped sky high then after that, the whole storm stopped instantly. Very odd.

      Glad I could help Denise.

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  3. Love snow peas. Hubby hates them. Which I find odd, but to each his own. Glad your doctor finally called! Road work a never ending mess - build cities that will stand the test of time, but roads, no way, it'd put too many people out of work.

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    1. How odd Yolanda. Does he like peas? You are right about the road works.

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  4. Snow peas are one of my fave veggies! YUM! Sorry about your class though, they should've at least put up a notice or something.

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    1. They are delicious aren't they JoJo. Well, I don't think anyone knew the girl wasn't going to turn up.

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  5. Glad to hear you have an appointment; at least something in concrete now for you to know action might be happening to restore your health to the best optimal way.

    betty

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  6. Congrats again about the appointment - although Boo!! to the dentist, but like you said, hopefully it's the last time for a while.

    I'm a firm believer in half the roadwork "needed" is more aimed toward keeping the road budget than a need to fix something.

    Snowpeas? I thought that was a forlorn veggie left unnoticed in the freezer...

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    1. Thanks Mark. Yes, the dentist is taking up a fair amount of my time right now. You are probably right about the budget, but they are spending one hell of a lot round here..

      I love Snow Peas.

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  7. I love that photo of your exercise class. You should have run it Jo!

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    1. Not actually our class Pinky. Just one that looks a bit like what we do. Sorry.

      I thought of it but if there had been an accident or something......

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  8. Hi Jo,

    All the very best with that early September appointment. At least it doesn't clash with league bowling day.

    You should of taken over the exercise class. My mother who is in her eighties, has been known to take over the classes at her gym where she attends three days a week :)

    Interesting recipe.

    Gary

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    1. Thanks Gary, don't know when surgery will take place, if it's going to.

      You're right I should have. I thought about it.

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  9. Very cool on getting your appointment. Sorry about the roads. And I love snow peas.

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    1. My sentiments too Ivy. But how long before something is done is another matter. I love snow peas too.

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    2. True. I hadn't thought about the getting something done, bit. Fingers and eyeballs, crossed.

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    3. Thanks, but do uncross your eyeballs Ivy, the wind might change and you'd get stuck that way.

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  10. So many of our streets are under construction that I have no idea how to go around them any more. I am glad you are seeing the surgeon so soon and I am not surprised because it seems to happen like that. The recipe sounds good...and healthy!

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    1. I know Birgit, they seem to have gone totally nuts around here with construction. Everyone is complaining and every day, almost, you hear of more roads being closed partially if not totally. I just hope it doesn't take to long to get to the hospital.

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  11. Weird, won't allow me to answer under the comment I was at before. Anyway, yes, you're probably right, and I don't want to get stuck that way.

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