I think it is unfair that peas are so underrated. Most cooks use peas to add colors to their main course. Others only prefer them as a side dish. Today’s recipe is a rebel against them! I believe these healthy, tasty, and cute green balls deserve a dish by themselves only. No need to hook them up with carrots and potatoes all the time.
We cook the green peas slowly in olive oil. It is a traditional appetizer that my grandma used to prepare for us. However, it can easily turn into a main course with a few slices of fresh baguette bread and some feta cheese. It is important to select the right peas to get the best out of this recipe. I recommend to select the organic peas. But it does not end there. You need to watch out for the greener ones. If you purchase fresh peas in pods, try to consume them asap since they can go bad quickly. Also, stay away from the yellowish, whitish, or dark green ones.
Peas can make you strong!
Did you know that 100 calories servings of peas contain more protein than a full egg?* They are loaded with vitamins A, E, B1, and C. Add phosphorus and iron in that mix too. Besides, peas also contain fiber, minerals and antioxidants that boost our immune system.
Sweet Peas in Olive Oil Recipe
This delicious and meatless recipe might seem simple at first, but you should monitor the cooking progress closely. The trickiest part is to know when to take the peas off from the heat. If you overcook peas, you will end up with a pureed version. Trust me; nobody likes mush peas. Our goal here is to keep their form. The peas should not stick to each other.
Healthy Peas in Olive Oil with Dill | Vegan Mezze
Course: Appetizers, SidesCuisine: TurkishDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes1
hour140
kcal1
hour10
minutesIngredients
1-pound (454 g) frozen peas
1 /2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water
1 medium size white onion, chopped thinly
3 medium tomatoes
1 tablespoon sugar (you can substitute with 1 tablespoon of honey)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 bunch fresh dill, chopped
- Optional:
You can add 2 tablespoons diced carrots.
Directions
- Grate the onions finely.
- Peel and grate the tomatoes.
- Add the grated onions and tomatoes into a medium saucepan.
- Add the olive oil, water, salt, and sugar to the pan.
- Stir with a spoon or spatula to blend well.
- Add the frozen peas in the middle of the saucepan too.
- Turn on the heat to medium.
- Cook until it starts to get to a boil, and stir occasionally.
- Close the lid, turn down the heat to low, and continue to cook for about an hour or until the peas get soft.
- Remove from heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
- Add the chopped dill and mix slowly.
- Transfer the cooked peas to a serving plate.
- Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to make the peas shinier.
Notes
- Alternatively, you can prepare this recipe in a pressure cooker. Add all the ingredients just like above and cook for about 15-20 minutes at low pressure. The following instant pot pressure cooker is a bestseller. It is incredible that over 120,000 people gave 5-star ratings for this item. Note that it is a versatile product that you can use as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, steamer, sauté, rice cooker, and yogurt maker. The pod and the lid are dishwasher safe. It comes with seven functions and 13 one-touch programs to speed up all your cooking by up to 70%.
How do you retain the green color of peas while cooking?
Peas are fragile. Therefore, you need to treat them with care. There is a simple trick to preserve their green color while cooking. Add a teaspoon of regular white sugar for each pound (454 g) of green peas in the pan while boiling in the water. You will notice that the sugar-added peas will keep their greenish color for a prolonged period.
Can you overcook peas?
You can easily overcook peas. Be careful not to boil them for too long, or you might end up with mushy peas. The nutrition level also decreases when you cook them longer than you should. Bring the water to a boil, add the peas and cook over low heat for up to 10 minutes.
[…] taste great, and they can be much more than simple side dishes. For example, check out our healthy peas in olive oil recipe. It is a super tasty combination of peas, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh dill. Notice that peas […]