Snow Pea Splendor (Recipe)

Ingredients

1/4 cup sesame seed

1/2 cup salad oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound fresh pea pods

4 slices bacon

4 cups shredded lettuce

1/2 cup snipped parsley

Steps

1. To toast the sesame seed, spread them in a thin layer in a shallow ungreased baking pan.  Bake in 350° oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden, stirring once or twice.  In a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the toasted sesame seed, salad oil, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, garlic and salt.  Cover and refrigerate.

2. Remove the stems from the pea pods.  Steam 30 seconds.  Cover and chill.

3. Fry the bacon until crisp.  Drain on paper towels, then crumble.

4. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, parsley, pea pods and bacon.  Shake the dressing until well blended.  Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad; toss.  Serve immediately.

Tips:

If you have leftover dressing, store it in the refrigerator to use another day.  It makes a delicious dressing for spinach salad or cooked green beans.

To make carrot cutouts, thinly slice a large carrot.  Use a small canape cutter to make flower shapes.

From : America's Best-Loved Community Recipes