First, start by preparing the pea pesto sauce. Add peas, basil, dill, garlic and lemon juice to a small food processor and pulse until chopped up. Then, while the food processor is running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Continue blending until mostly smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Finally, season with nutritional yeast and kosher salt to taste. Blend again, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside.
1 cup green peas, 1 packed cup fresh basil, ¼ packed cup fresh dill, 2 large garlic cloves, juice from ½ lemon, ¼ cup olive oil, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, kosher salt
Next, prepare your pasta according to package directions - be sure to heavily salt the water when it starts to boil! Cook only until al-dente, reserve some of the pasta water and drain off the rest.
10 oz dry cavatappi pasta
Bring a large pan to medium-high heat. Meanwhile, pat salmon dry and season with italian seasoning, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Rub seasonings into the salmon.
1 lb salmon, ½ tsp italian seasoning, kosher salt & black pepper, squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Once the pan has pre-heated for several minutes, add enough avocado oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium. Once the oil is hot, add the salmon skin-side-down. It should sizzle - if not, the pan isn't hot enough yet.
avocado oil
Let the salmon cook, undisturbed, for about 5 minutes and then flip and continue cooking for 5 more minutes or until done through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add a bit more avocado oil to the pan. Then, add the asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes or until mostly tender. Then, add in the thawed peas and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
avocado oil, 1 bunch asparagus, ½ cup green peas, kosher salt & black pepper
Add in the cooked pasta, all of the pea pesto sauce and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine, adding more pasta water as needed to help the sauce stick to the pasta.
reserved pasta water
Use a fork to flake the salmon into small pieces and then add it to the pan with the pasta. Toss to combine. Serve as is or garnished with more fresh dill...enjoy!