Elevate the flavors of a seemingly ordinary side dish, with this recipe for minted peas. Minted peas are like a breath of spring no matter what time of year you make it. In fact, this side dish is pretty popular in some parts of the world. It’s also an excellent way to bring some life into this classically boring side dish.
Origins of Minted Peas
While it’s challenging to pinpoint an exact time and place of origin, the combination of mint and peas has been cherished in various cultures for centuries. Here’s a medieval recipe from the 1400s! In European countries, especially in Britain, Ireland, France, and Italy, peas were a common vegetable, and the addition of mint added a refreshing twist to their preparation. During this time, minted peas were often served as a side dish, either on their own or as an accompaniment to meat dishes.
Pea puree on toast
Consider blending the peas into a smooth, flavorful puree for a creative twist. This ingenious approach transforms the traditional minted peas into a versatile spread, perfect for crafting a quick and impressive appetizer.
Further, the puree can be used to invigorate your morning toast. Spread generously over a slice of toasted baguette or your favorite whole-grain bread, the minted pea puree infuses breakfast with a burst of vibrant flavors.
Go Fresh
While you could use dried mint, green onion, and lemon zest using fresh ingredients will give you the best burst of flavor. In a simple dish like this, each ingredient gets its moment to shine, and using fresh ingredients will leave your taste buds feeling so much more refreshed!
In short, the infusion of fresh mint, spring onion, and lemon really gives some zest to the unassuming pea. Served as a side dish or a topping for toast, either way, you can’t go wrong! Bring these to your next potluck and everyone will be saying “Can you pass the peas, please?”.
Minted Peas Two Ways!
Course: Side Dish, Breakfast, AppetizerDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes15
minutesBring some life into this classically boring side dish! The infusion of fresh mint, spring onion, and lemon really gives some zest to the humble pea.
Ingredients
1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
3 scallions
2 cups of frozen or fresh peas
Splash of water
1.5 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest
1 tsp of lemon juice
1 tbsp of fresh mint finely chopped
Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions
- Begin by preheating a pan over medium heat, and then add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil is heated, introduce the finely chopped scallions to the pan. Let them sauté for about half a minute. Incorporate the peas into the pan and stir. Add a splash of water and cover. Lower the heat to medium-low and allow the peas to steam till tender (but not pruney). This should take around 3-5 minutes if using fresh peas, and approximately 7-10 minutes for frozen peas. Give the pan a gentle stir every few minutes.
- Once the peas have reached the desired tenderness, turn off the heat and introduce the mint, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt & pepper to taste. Give the pan a good mix, ensuring the ingredients are harmoniously incorporated. You can serve as is or have the option to puree.
- To puree the minted peas, gather your high-speed blender, immersion blender, or food processor. Place the peas in the blending vessel, adding a splash of water to facilitate the process. Blend until the mixture is to the texture of your liking and then it’s ready to serve!
