Buttery Peas with Mint and Shallots
In short: Sweet green peas warmed in butter with soft shallots, finished with fresh mint and lemon. A 10-minute side for lamb, chicken and fish. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 160 kcal
Peas, butter and mint are an old, reliable combination, and it takes no more than ten minutes to make with frozen peas, which are often sweeter than the fresh ones in the shops. The shallot is softened in butter first for a gentle onion flavor, the peas are warmed through rather than boiled hard, and the mint goes in at the end. It is a standard side for roast lamb, chicken and fish, and children tend to eat it.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the shallots with a pinch of salt and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until soft and translucent but not browned.
- Add the frozen peas and water and stir. Raise the heat to medium, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the peas are hot and bright green.
- Uncover and cook for 1 minute more so any excess liquid evaporates.
- Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the mint, lemon juice, the 1/4 teaspoon of salt and some pepper.
- Taste, adjust the seasoning and serve hot with a little more mint on top.
Tips
- For a creamier texture, blend or mash half of the cooked peas with a splash of the cooking liquid and fold them back in.
- Do not overcook peas, or they turn gray and mushy. Crumbled feta makes a more filling version, and olive oil replaces the butter for a dairy-free dish.
Questions and answers
Can I use fresh peas?
Yes. Shell about 1 kg (2.2 lb) of pods to get 450 g (1 lb) of peas and cook them in the pan for 5 to 7 minutes, depending on size.
Can I make buttery peas ahead of time?
They are best fresh, but they keep for 2 days in the fridge and reheat in a pan in a few minutes with a splash of water.
What goes with buttery mint peas?
They are a good side for roast lamb, chicken, fish, sausages and pies.
How long does it take to make Buttery Peas with Mint and Shallots?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Buttery Peas with Mint and Shallots?
About 160 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 19 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 160 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
