Upscale Peas With Mint Recipes

ENGLISH PEAS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Sauté the spring onion in two tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shelled peas, a pinch of salt, and enough water to barely cover. Cook over high heat for 2 minutes, then add the torn mint leaves. Continue cooking until the peas are tender, a few more minutes. Check for seasoning, and add more salt if needed.

MINTY MUSHY PEAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan and add the chopped onions, mint, and peas. Cover and leave for a few minutes to steam. Mash with a potato masher. You can do this with a food processor as well, just pulse it until smooth. Whether mashing or pulsing, when it's done add the butter and season very carefully, to taste.

BUTTER MINT PEAS

Steps:

• Add the butter to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the shallots and saute until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the peas and cook until they are just warmed through, about 4 minutes. Add the mint and cream and stir together. Serve.

SMASHED PEAS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Cook peas with water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through and tender, about 8 minutes.
• While peas cook, stir together butter, mint, parsley, pepper, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt until combined well.
• Pulse peas (with cooking water) in 2 batches in a food processor until coarsely puréed, transferring to a large bowl. Stir in herb butter until melted.

SPRING PEAS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Add shelled peas to boiling water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice-water bath until cooled; drain. Set aside.
• Add sugar snap peas to boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to ice-water bath until cooled. Drain and set aside.
• Heat butter and oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened. Add both peas and stir until heated through and well combined. Season with salt and pepper; stir in mint. Serve immediately.

POLENTA WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• If cooking polenta on stovetop: In a medium pot over high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on how finely the polenta is ground (coarse-ground polenta takes longer).
• Alternatively, cook polenta in oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot over high heat, bring 4 1/2 cups water, polenta and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Cover pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then give the mixture a stir. If it looks dry, add another 1/2 cup water. Cover the pot once more, and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• When polenta is thick and creamy, stir in 2 to 4 of the tablespoons butter (depending on how buttery you like it) and the Parmesan. Taste and add more Parmesan and salt, if needed.
• As the polenta cooks, prepare the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add shallots and sauté until tender and golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or two, until fragrant and very lightly golden in spots. Add vermouth and cook until alcohol evaporates, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus and peas, and cook until vegetables are glossy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and a large pinch of salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens slightly, 2 to 8 minutes. (Thicker asparagus will take longer to soften.) Stir in the mint. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• To serve, spoon polenta into bowls, top with vegetables and their sauce, and grind on lots of fresh pepper. Finish with shaved Parmesan.

CHILLI & MINT PEAS

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a small frying pan, once bubbling, add the shallot and fry for 1 min. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for 1 min more, then tip in the peas and reheat. Take off the heat and stir in the mint, season and serve. Sprinkle over the pork scratchings, if using - they add a nice crunchy texture.

SMASHED MINTED PEAS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat and sizzle the shallot for 5 mins until soft. Add the stock and peas, and bring to a simmer. Cook gently for 10 mins until the peas are soft.
• Roughly mash the pea mixture with a potato masher, or, if you prefer a smoother texture, purée with a hand blender. (It's best to leave some of the peas whole or roughly crushed for texture.) Season to taste and stir through the mint leaves just before serving.