Shrimp and Snap Pea Salad with Ginger Dressing

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil; add salt. Cook snap peas until bright green, about 2 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and add shrimp. Cook until shrimp are opaque throughout and peas are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Drain peas and shrimp in a colander, and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.

   Step 2

   In a blender, combine white parts of scallions, oil, lime juice, carrot, ginger, and the water; process until dressing is smooth and combined, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

   Step 3

   In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, bell peppers, scallion greens, snap peas, and shrimp. Serve salad with dressing on the side or drizzled over the top.

2. Using Frozen Shrimp

   Step 4

   Frozen shrimp are a handy and less expensive alternative to fresh. In fact, most “fresh” shrimp have already been frozen and thawed, so buying frozen ones and defrosting them at home results in the same quality. Unpeeled are better than peeled, since the shell helps preserve flavor and texture; look for raw “easy-peel” shrimp, which are already deveined. Thaw shrimp in a resealable plastic bag in a cool-water bath or in the refrigerator if defrosting overnight. Once defrosted, peel and devein them (if necessary).