Monday, December 9, 2013

Sesame, Snow Pea, and Shiitake Pasta Salad

Two kinds of green peas, sesame, ginger, and soy give this earthy pasta salad bold flavor.



  • Kosher salt




  • 1/2 lb. dried rolled, tubular pasta (such as cavatelli or strozzapreti)




  • 1/2 cup frozen baby green peas




  • 40 fresh snow peas (4 to 5 oz.), trimmed




  • 3 Tbs. vegetable oil




  • 1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion




  • 1/2 lb. shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 3 cups)




  • 1 tsp. minced garlic




  • 1 tsp. minced fresh ginger




  • Freshly ground black pepper




  • 4 tsp. soy sauce




  • 1 Tbs. rice vinegar




  • 2 tsp. Asian sesame oil




  • 1/4 tsp. granulated sugar




  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions (white and green parts)




  • 2 Tbs. toasted white sesame seeds




Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until barely al dente, about 1 minute less than package timing. Add the green peas and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the snow peas, stir, and immediately drain the vegetables and pasta in a colander set in the sink. Rinse with cool water to stop the cooking. Drain well, toss with 1 Tbs. of the vegetable oil, and set aside.


Heat 1 Tbs. of the vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, shiitake, garlic, ginger, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are opaque and the mushrooms have released their juices, 3 to 4 minutes—don’t let the vegetables brown. Remove the pan from the heat, transfer the vegetables and any juices to a small bowl, and let cool to room temperature.


In another small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 Tbs. vegetable oil with the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar.


In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and vegetables, scallions, and 1 Tbs. of the sesame seeds. Toss with the dressing and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature, garnished with the remaining sesame seeds.


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