America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Three-Pea Salad with Burrata and Spicy Pine Nut Crisp

By Sara Mayer

Published on April 28, 2026

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Three-Pea Salad with Burrata and Spicy Pine Nut Crisp

Ingredients

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 small shallot, sliced thin2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts 1½ teaspoons dried oregano 1½ teaspoons fennel seeds 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus salt for cooking peas1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes 8 ounces country-style bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed1 pound snow peas, strings removed1½ cups frozen peas 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 8 ounces burrata cheese, room temperature

Before You Begin

You can refrigerate the shallot–pine nut crisp for up to 1 week; bring it to room temperature before using. You can refrigerate the blanched peas for up to 24 hours. The combination of sugar snap peas and snow peas makes for a more interesting salad, but you can use all one variety. Alternatively, you can substitute 5 ounces baby arugula for either the sugar snap peas or the snow peas. Dollops of creamy ricotta or torn fresh mozzarella are nice alternatives to the burrata.

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. While water comes to boil, cook ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil and 1 thinly sliced small shallot in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until shallots are deep golden brown, about 5 minutes. Off heat, use slotted spoon to transfer shallots to heatproof medium bowl. Let oil cool slightly.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts, 1½ teaspoons dried oregano, teaspoons fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes to bowl with shallots. Carefully pour oil into bowl (mixture may bubble slightly) and stir to combine; set aside.
  3. Toss 6 cups country-style bread torn into 1-inch pieces with 2 tablespoons water, squeezing gently so bread absorbs water. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in now-empty skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add bread and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes; set aside.
  4. Fill large bowl halfway with ice and water. Nestle colander into ice bath. Line large plate with paper towels. Add 1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed, and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 pound snow peas, strings removed, and 1½ cups frozen peas and cook until snap peas are bright green and tender, about 1 minute. Using spider skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer peas to prepared colander. Once peas are chilled, lift colander from ice bath and transfer peas to prepared plate; pat dry with extra paper towels.
  5. Whisk 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons shallot–pine nut crisp in clean, dry large bowl. Add peas and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer peas to serving platter, top with bread and 8 ounces room-temperature burrata cheese, and drizzle with remaining shallot–pine nut crisp. Serve, breaking up burrata with spoon and allowing creamy liquid to meld with dressing.
Three-Pea Salad with Burrata and Spicy Pine Nut Crisp
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Christine Tobin.

Three-Pea Salad with Burrata and Spicy Pine Nut Crisp

Headshot of Sara Mayer
By Sara Mayer

Published on April 28, 2026

Save

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, sliced thin
2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1½ teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus salt for cooking peas
1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
8 ounces country-style bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed
1 pound snow peas, strings removed
1½ cups frozen peas
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
8 ounces burrata cheese, room temperature

Ingredients

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, sliced thin
2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1½ teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus salt for cooking peas
1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
8 ounces country-style bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed
1 pound snow peas, strings removed
1½ cups frozen peas
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
8 ounces burrata cheese, room temperature

Ingredients

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small shallot, sliced thin
2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1½ teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus salt for cooking peas
1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
8 ounces country-style bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed
1 pound snow peas, strings removed
1½ cups frozen peas
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
8 ounces burrata cheese, room temperature

Why This Recipe Works

Vibrant three-pea salad—sugar snap peas, snow peas and frozen English peas—gets a luscious upgrade with creamy burrata and a fiery shallot–pine nut crisp. Fresh, crunchy, and rich, it balances coolness and heat in every bite.

Before You Begin

You can refrigerate the shallot–pine nut crisp for up to 1 week; bring it to room temperature before using. You can refrigerate the blanched peas for up to 24 hours. The combination of sugar snap peas and snow peas makes for a more interesting salad, but you can use all one variety. Alternatively, you can substitute 5 ounces baby arugula for either the sugar snap peas or the snow peas. Dollops of creamy ricotta or torn fresh mozzarella are nice alternatives to the burrata.

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. While water comes to boil, cook ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil and 1 thinly sliced small shallot in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until shallots are deep golden brown, about 5 minutes. Off heat, use slotted spoon to transfer shallots to heatproof medium bowl. Let oil cool slightly.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts, 1½ teaspoons dried oregano, teaspoons fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes to bowl with shallots. Carefully pour oil into bowl (mixture may bubble slightly) and stir to combine; set aside.
  3. Toss 6 cups country-style bread torn into 1-inch pieces with 2 tablespoons water, squeezing gently so bread absorbs water. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in now-empty skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add bread and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes; set aside.
  4. Fill large bowl halfway with ice and water. Nestle colander into ice bath. Line large plate with paper towels. Add 1 pound sugar snap peas, strings removed, and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 pound snow peas, strings removed, and 1½ cups frozen peas and cook until snap peas are bright green and tender, about 1 minute. Using spider skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer peas to prepared colander. Once peas are chilled, lift colander from ice bath and transfer peas to prepared plate; pat dry with extra paper towels.
  5. Whisk 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and 2 tablespoons shallot–pine nut crisp in clean, dry large bowl. Add peas and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer peas to serving platter, top with bread and 8 ounces room-temperature burrata cheese, and drizzle with remaining shallot–pine nut crisp. Serve, breaking up burrata with spoon and allowing creamy liquid to meld with dressing.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.