LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK CHAAS

Little Gem Salad with Buttermilk Chaas image

Provided by Tailor, Nashville, TN

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
5 dried chiles de árbol, lightly crushed, seeds removed if desired
4 curry leaves
1 tsp. cumin seeds
½ tsp. brown mustard seeds
Kosher salt
1 bunch red and/or French Breakfast radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced
3 heads of Little Gem lettuce, torn crosswise into 2"-wide strips
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
½ cup fresh English peas, sugar snap peas, and/or 1½"-long pieces green and/or wax beans
1 sprig mint, leaves torn
2 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro
Kosher salt (optional)

Steps:

Pour buttermilk into a measuring glass or small bowl. Heat oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add chiles, curry leaves, cumin seeds, and brown mustard seeds one at a time, pausing for a second between each addition and swirling pan. Cook until spices are toasted and curry leaves sizzle and pop, about 10 seconds (take care as oil will splatter!). Quickly pour spice oil into buttermilk; stir to combine. Taste chaas dressing and season with salt.
Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Soak radishes in a bowl of ice water until they curl, about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
Toss half of the radishes in a large bowl with lettuce, cucumber, peas, mint, and cilantro. Drizzle in dressing; toss to coat. Taste salad and season with salt if needed. Top with remaining radishes.