Cooking Peas on the Stove
Bring 3-4 cups of water to a boil. Using a medium saucepot, heat up the water to a rolling boil so that the surface of the water is constantly bubbling.
Carefully pour the peas from the bag into the boiling water. Stir them gently and let the peas boil, uncovered. If peas are frozen together in large chunks, use a wooden spoon to break them apart, ensuring that they cook evenly.
Remove the peas from heat after 2-3 minutes. Using a fork or slotted spoon, remove a pea and blow on it gently to cool it off. Sample the pea when it is cool -- it should be soft and easily chewed, liked a cooked bean. Frozen peas usually take 2-4 minutes to cook.
Drain the water from the peas. You can either carefully pour the water out of the pot or pour the peas into a colander.
Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of butter to the beans to keep them from sticking. While this step is not necessary, it gives them a richer flavor and keeps them from sticking or falling apart. For a healthier alternative, stir in a few drops of olive oil instead of butter.
Cooking Peas in the Microwave
Place frozen peas directly on a plate and microwave them for 2:30 minutes. For more tender peas, sprinkles 1-2 tablespoons of water over the peas before cooking. All microwaves are different, so sample the peas after two minutes and cook them longer if needed.
Pour frozen peas in a covered Pyrex dish and microwave for two minutes. These peas will steam instead of boil, and are usually firmer. Before you cook them you can also add some water or 2 tablespoons of butter for richer peas.
Place microwave-safe bags of peas directly in the microwave and cook for 2-3 minutes. Some frozen peas are made to be cooked directly in the bag. Simply remove the bag from the freezer and put it in the microwave, cooking for the required time. The package will need to cool off for 4-5 minutes after it has finished cooking. They usually fill with steam that can burn you if you try to open the bag immediately. If the packaging does not specifically indicate that it can be placed in the microwave, don't.
Using Frozen Peas
Cook peas along with butter, garlic, and onions for a simple side-dish. This is a great way to spruce up frozen peas. Simply heat up 1-2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet, then add 1 chopped onion, and 2-3 gloves of chopped garlic. After a 2-3 minutes, add the frozen peas directly to the skillet. Cook together on low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the peas are tender. Add a little olive oil and cheese to make an excellent addition to pasta dishes
Cook peas with 2 cups of chicken broth to make a simple pea soup. Cook the peas in 2 tablespoons of butter with onion and garlic. After 4-5 minutes, add the chicken broth and cook everything together, on medium heat for another 5 minutes, or until the peas are tender. Remove from heat. After the mixture has cooled, puree it in a food processor to make a simple but delicious pea soup. Add green herbs like dill or chives for flavor and salt and pepper to taste. Toss frozen peas into any soup for a delicious and nutritious addition.
Puree cooked peas with mint, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese to make a simple spread. This pea-mint pesto recipe is fantastic on toast. Put 1 bag of cooked peas in a food processor and blend until smooth, then add: Handful of fresh mint leaves 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese 1-2 cloves chopped garlic 3 tablespoons olive oil Lemon juice, to taste Blend everything until it is smooth and spreadable, adding more oil if necessary
Mix cooled, cooked peas with tomatoes and seasoning for a simple salad. Simple yet elegant, cooked peas make an excellent base for a salad. Add chopped cherry tomatoes, parsley, salt, pepper, and a little balsamic vinegar for a refreshing summer side. Consider cooking peas for less time if they are going in a salad so they stay firm. Cooked peas also go well tossed into a traditional lettuce or spinach salad.
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