pesto pea salad

from ina garten's barefoot contessa at home comes my new favorite salad.  srsly.

ingredients

1 package baby spinach

1/2 package frozen peas, thawed and slightly cool

fresh pesto (recipe to follow)

parmesan cheese (for grating on top)

4 tsp. (or whatever) toasted pine nuts

method

rinse and dry spinach.  put in salad bowl.  (duh.)

to make pesto, place 2-3 handfuls fresh basil, 1 clove of garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor.  turn on machine; as it is blending, slowly add olive oil until it reaches a relatively pureed consistency.  turn off processor.  grate parmesan cheese into the bowl, and add about 5 tsp. toasted pine nuts.  continue to blend, and add ingredients as you see fit.

finally, add peas to spinach, spoon pesto on top, toss, and serve with extra grated parm. and toasted pine nuts on top.

so simple.  so delicious.  so summertime.  yum!