10 Ideas: Frozen Peas

Tasty and super convenient, frozen peas are the unsung heroes of the kitchen.

Here are 10 ideas to start with.
                                                                                     This Minty Pea Soup is perfect for sweltering summer afternoons. For the recipe, scroll down to #5.
                                          
                                                  

1  Sausage and pea risotto
For a different take on the usual, we like making risotto with peas and adding crumbled sausages for a complete one-pan dinner. The next day, if there's still some left over, form the risotto into patties, fry them in a little butter, top with a fried egg, and—ta-dah—breakfast!

2  Salad days
Blanch peas until cooked then toss them into a salad along with chopped dill, almonds, and dried fruit. For something different, try mixing the peas with potatoes and curry powder for a curried potato-pea salad.

3  Empea-nadas
Mash up some peas together with tarragon, crispy bacon bits, and lemon juice. Place mashed peas in the center of lumpia wrappers, fold to make triangles, and seal. Deep-fry several at a time and serve with herbed mayonnaise. 

(RELATED: Learn How to Make Fried Meat Pies/Empanadas here)

4  "Peas-to"
Just about anything green can be made into pesto: spinach, basil, malunggay. Why not peas? And since they’re so nutritious and good for you, you'll want to eat them with everything. Toss it with cooked pasta, use as a sandwich spread, even serve it with broiled fish. (Follow link for pesto recipes)

5  Minty pea soup
This wonderful soup is a bowlful of comfort, and in the summer heat, the mint adds a refreshing touch. In a stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon oil and sauté 1/2 cup sliced leeks (green and white parts), 2 stalks celery (chopped), and 2 large onions (sliced) until onions are translucent. Add 4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock (or ham stock, if you have it) and 2 medium potatoes (cubed); lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 1 (500-gram) bag frozen peas and cook for an additional 5 minutes, then take the pot off the stove. Add 1 tablespoon chopped mint. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. Finish off by seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and lemon juice to taste. Before serving, top individual bowls with croutons or a dollop of cream. Serves 4 to 6.

6  Wasabi peas
Like it spicy? Deep-fry peas in oil, drain on paper towels, then dust generously with wasabi powder, pepper, and a touch of onion or garlic powder.

7  Yogurt-pea dip
Blend together Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and thawed frozen peas in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add your choice of chopped herbs or spices.

8  Buttered corn, carrots, and green peas
This is a super quick side dish to throw together on nights when you get home late and your family is ravenous. Serve along with store-bought rotisserie chicken, steaming hot rice, and you've got yourself a pretty wonderful weekday feast. See the recipe here: Buttered Corn, Carrots, and Green Peas

9  Saucy peas
Puree peas with garlic, cream, stock, and a bit of cheese. Serve with grilled pork chops or fish—the peas add some flavor and texture contrasts, as well as a nice touch of color.

10  Crisper clean-out
We always keep a bag of frozen peas handy for fried rice. We go through our vegetable crisper, chop up odds and ends (half a carrot, leftover leeks, some forgotten bean sprouts or stalks of celery), give them a quick stir-fry, add the peas last, and  - voilà! -  Leftover cooked rice gets a new lease on life; leftover vegetables don’t go to waste; and you've got a tasty dish that could feed a very hungry army.

Follow link for more peas recipes

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Photography by Miguel Nacianceno | Styling by Liezl Yap

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