Name: Glorious Grain & Spring Pea Fritters with Wild Garlic Pesto
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 large bunch wild garlic; 1 small bunch curly parsley; 60g pine nuts, toasted; 60g Parmesan, grated; 150ml extra virgin olive oil; A dash of lemon juice; Sea salt and black pepper; 2 tbsp plain flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 large egg; 30ml milk; 30g peas, fresh or frozen and thawed; ½ pouch Merchant Gourmet 5 Glorious Grains; 30g fresh basil, roughly chopped; 3 spring onions, finely sliced; 1 tbsp olive oil; Sea salt and black pepper; 1 bunch asparagus, cooked

Glorious Grain & Spring Pea Fritters with Wild Garlic Pesto

There’s something about wild garlic that instantly signals spring. Paired with sweet peas and our 5 Glorious Grains, it creates these golden fritters that are crisp on the outside, soft in the middle and packed with fresh, vibrant flavour. Served over a generous spoonful of wild garlic pesto and finished with tender asparagus, this is the kind of seasonal dish you'll find yourself making on repeat while wild garlic is around.

Add the wild garlic, parsley, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper to a food processor. Blitz until roughly combined, then slowly pour in the olive oil while blending until you have a smooth pesto. Set aside.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Gradually pour into the flour mixture, whisking continuously to create a smooth batter.
Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Add the peas and cook for 2 minutes, then drain and transfer to a bowl of iced water. Drain again thoroughly.
Fold the peas, Merchant Gourmet 5 Glorious Grains, basil and spring onions into the batter. Season well with sea salt and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat.
Spoon the fritter mixture into the pan, shaping into patties. Cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp.
Spread generous spoonfuls of the wild garlic pesto onto serving plates and top with the fritters.
Serve alongside the asparagus and enjoy immediately.