Lime Toasted Pepitas Recipes

Steps:

• For the lime vinaigrette: In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, mirin, fish sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, lime zest and juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
• For the salad: Add the rice to a dry cast-iron skillet set over medium heat and toast, stirring frequently, until nutty and fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Place the rice in a spice grinder and pulse until finely ground (the size of kosher salt). Set aside.
• Heat the sesame oil in a saute pan over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until well charred on the outside, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. (The beans should still be almost raw in the middle so they remain crunchy.) Place the cherry tomatoes in the same pan and lightly char; transfer to the plate with the beans and let cool. Cut the tomatoes in half (it's okay if they get a little smashed), and cut the beans into 2-inch-long pieces.
• In a large bowl, combine the green beans, tomatoes, mung beans, red onions, scallions, papayas, Thai bird chiles, red peppers, cucumbers, basil, mint, pepitas, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pinch of pepper. Drizzle with the lime vinaigrette and mix well. Transfer the salad to a large serving platter and garnish with the toasted ground rice (for fragrance and a crunchy texture).

Steps:

• Stir together pepitas, lime juice, chili powder, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Heat pepitas in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 4 minutes.

Steps:

• Mix lime juice, pepper, cayenne and salt and stir until dissolved. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add pepita seeds and toss frequently until seeds begin to turn light golden and expand. Add seasoned lime juice all at once and stir well to coat all seeds. Remove from heat and cool in the pan.Serve at room temperature.
• Also great in salads for a crunchy texture.