It's a crying shame that I spent so long disliking peas.
Yes, I'm sorry to say that the majority of my childhood was spent avoiding peas at all costs. Even when my grandma made her delicious peas & dumplins, I would serve myself two or three dumplins...and two or three peas.
I'm not sure when my conversion occurred, but now I enjoy the peas more than the dumplins and am always on the lookout for dishes containing the little green orbs. I guess I'm making up for lost time.
I thought this pea puree would be tasty, but it far exceeded my expectations. The mint, which I don't believe I've ever used in a savory dish before, was absolutely delightful and the perfect complement to the pea flavor. The addition of the red pepper flakes was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and it was a good one. What can I say, I love to set my mouth on fire.
Admittedly, this may be a bit too pea-quant (get it?? get it??)(it's okay to groan) for some folks, but like I said--I'm making up for lost time.
Spicy Pea Puree with Mint
2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dried mint
salt and red pepper flakes, to taste
Cook the peas in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they can be easily pierced with a fork. Drain and pour into a food processor. Add the milk, mint, salt, and red pepper flakes and puree. Taste and re-season as needed.
Apparently, this type of thing makes a wonderful accompaniment to lamb and various types of fish. Frankly, I enjoyed it by the spoonful.
September 23, 2008
pea-brained
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52 comments:
peas and mint were meant for each other. I'm going to have to try your grandmother's peas and dumplins...they look divine!
Whoa! I never heard of this before but sounds tasty! I do like peas with mint, a great combo!
For starters...kids don't like green food.
Secondly, this is beautiful and mint's a natural. You may now eat two bowls and play pea-catch-up.
i love peas. i love a recipe with only four ingredients. the spice and mint sound like nice touches.
I love peas, and did even as a kid. They are so cute....but I'm not a huge fan of mint. Still, your pic does look tempting.
That looks pretty and very easy. I started to like peas as an adult myself. My mom used to make split pea soup about once a month when I was growing up plus chocolate malts for dinner. She would only let us have a malt if we would eat our soup. I suffered through it for that chocolate malt. Also, she'd make onion cheese bread that night, and we'd devour that with no problem at all.
I've always love peas, and this sounds so good & loving the flavor of mint.. I've got to make this real soon :-)
I've always loved peas yet always seem to stay away from pea purees, soups or mush I'm not sure why since I'd probably love them
Hehe I love the title...spiced puree..how nice is that!
I love peas, but I do have to admit that I had minted peas in London years ago and I wasn't a fan. Maybe I need to try them again, and I just may fall in love with them this time!
I love simple recipes that are packed full of flavor! I am a pea fan - especially fresh from the garden.
This looks really good! I made a pea pesto stuffing for my quail in the Great Gilroy Garlic Cookoff.
I love peas, and the mint sounds perfect. My old roommate used to make pureed peas with ginger- also a surprisingly good combination. By the way the peas and dumplins look wonderful too.
Peas were never my favorite. I don't like the texture, but they are growing on me!!
Mmm. I just had mint in a pasta salad. I can see it going with peas.
And at first I thought this was an "I hate peas, so here's guac" post.
still don't like peas... i'm willing to try them over and over again but i still don't like them.
Give peas a chance! :) I'm not a huge fan, but they look good.
I detest peas too. Stems from having to suffer through creamed peas on toast as a child. Really, who does that? Ick.
That said, we were at a restaurant recently. Garlic peas with mushrooms (and other ingredients) were the vegetable du Jour.
I can't believe I'm about to type this, but those peas were EXCELLENT. I ate my portion, plus my kids' portions too! My family stared at me like I had lost my marbles.
"You don't even like peas," they said.
"I like THESE peas," I answered.
All that's just to say I understand your recent pea conversion.
Maybe we should make up some T-shirts that read, "Former Member of the Pea Haters Club." What do you think? In pea green? Is it a million dollar idea? ...lol
Oooh no, not for me - I can only suffer about 6 or 7 peas on my plate, and then they have to be the petit pois ones.
Well at least you put red pepper flakes in Grace!
..."pea-quant"
LOL! No one in my household will eat peas, so if I make this at least I won't have to share :)
I was a bit like that when I was a kid - now I can't get enough of peas!! Shame my daughter doesn't agree - perhaps she'll grow out of it too?!
Now this is a take on peas that might convert me completely. I think my kids would laugh hysterically if I put this on their plate with the command to eat, though.
I LOVE peas. But I must confess I don't usually like to puree them--I think that happy pop! in my mouth when I bite one is part of the attraction.
Remember in Ralph S. Mouse, where the food is "Pellets....green pellets"? Well, at least one of my daughters feels that way.
I always simmer my peas with mint and butter only, and a touch of sugar instead of salt. Divine!
Sounds like an easy and delicious dip. I should try making it one day. Thanks:)
I've seen something similar to this from Nigella and Jamie Oliver and I've always been curious. If you say it's good, I'll give it a try.
Pea puree sounds lovely. I never used to like having to chase individual peas around the plate. Too much effort for too little returns, I say!
Welcome aboard the pea love train. They have always been one of my favourite vegetables. I love the sound of this pea puree!
I too used to HATE HATE HATE peas!
But now I love em!!!!
This looks so very yummy!
I hated peas too, now I love them. I bet with the mint, this is amazing! Thank you.
My niece calls peas...little balls of posion! I think it's just a kid thing, diliking peas. My family prefers fresh peas and will eat them till they come out they're ears, i'll have to try this one!
That looks great - so beautiful and green!
It's kind of like finding a whole other part of yourself. The colour is gorgeous but admittedly, peas, unless they're off the vine have rarely received recognition - unless of course I felt like torturing Psychgrad.
I love peas, but hmmm...I've never tried them with mint. Interesting indeed!
Looks like quacomole. I like anything GREEN!
I love how you would take 2 or 3 peas to go with your dumplings! I love raw peas, pea soup, pea salad, etc., but haven't crossed the bridge to have a mound of peas on my plate. This caught my attention because they're creamed along with red pepper flakes. I think you have converted me!
Hmmm, I think we're thinking alike. I've had my mind on peas all week! I had a lovely pea soup - it was delicious!
This sounds good. You could make a pea hummus! Eh?
Oh for the love of Birdseye, why am I always at the end of the chorus? Lovely and simple recipe, Grace - peas and mint are a perfect combo, two shades of green that belong together. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Mmm mint and peas.. classic combination. Good call on the red pepper.
peas and mint are a classic. never out of style and always tasty.
Living in a country that seems so heavily British influenced has had me thinking about 'mushy peas' -terrible name {but not worse than when Ben's Mom calls Cream of Wheat 'Mush'} too! I think I really will try this one out! It sounds perfect!
I feel that way about brussel sprouts although I was never forced to eat them as a child but I suppose that's why I've never reconciled with them. I love anything that pops in my mouth (peas, corn, caviar) but I know that I'd adore this pea mash too!
Oooh, I love that color, so fresh! I love mint in savory dishes; I make these great veal meatballs in a minted tomato sauce, they're really good.
at first I thought it was a picture of guacamole. Great idea: I've always loved peas--fresh, canned, frozen, etc.
Peas and mint are a great combo if you like peas. I never got over my childhood pea/lima bean trauma. Though the husband would eat these!
Oh my-it looks so good...I'm a bit pea-phobic...I'm working on my veggie fears though.
I also didn't like peas as a child (something about that green sweetness was offputting to me), but had an e-pea-phany about three years ago when I tasted fresh peas. This looks absolutely fabulous and something I have to make soon. Bookmarked already. Thanks!
e-pea-phany?! You should be ashamed vancouver!
Anyway - this sort of pea puree is one of my favourite things with fish - preferably a tranch of salmon panfried so the skin is really crispy.
Pea-quant... oh dear, I fear we share the same sense of humour :) Funnily enough, peas were one of the few vegetables I WOULD eat as a child - but only if they were tinned petit pois... Love the sound of this puree and the intense green colour.
Pea puree with mint, what an amazing combo. So glad to read that peas won't haunt you any more Grace! I could eat a whole big tub of this, along with 3 bags of chips!
Peas and mint are meant for each other. Puree looks yummy!
I didn't start liking peas until recently either! I once made a curried pea soup and sprinkled some mint on it - delicious! Also, split pea soup with shortribs braised right in it intead of the traditional ham = awesome :)
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