Peas

Peas are sweet legumes that brighten dishes with color and flavor.

Flavor

How to use it

Sweet Pea Maintenance. Blanching stops enzymes, preserving sweetness and color.

Creamy Purees. Starch in peas gelatinizes when tender, forming smooth purees.

Common mistakes

• Too much heat ruptures cells, causing mushiness and nutrient depletion.
• Unripe peas have high starch, resulting in blandness.

What goes with peas

• Paneer. Sweet peas and paneer are paired in the Indian curry matar paneer.
• Butter. Butter's fat carries peas' sweet aroma and adds richness.
• Parmesan. Parmesan adds a savory, nutty element to sweet peas.
• Pasta. Pasta takes up liquid while peas add sweetness to the dish.
• Cod. Sweet peas contrast with mild, flaky cod, as in fish and chips.
• Dill. Dill's fresh, caraway-like aroma brightens sweet peas.
• Potato. Sweet peas brighten starchy potato in curries.
• Mint. Mint's menthol freshens the sweet earthiness of peas.

Try tonight

• Enhance risotto with color.
• Blend into a mint pea soup for freshness.
• Add to pasta for a sweet note.

Storage

Store fresh peas in the refrigerator, or freeze them for longer storage to retain flavor.