Healthy, sweet, and ready in minutes, frozen peas are a weeknight saviour that go with just about every dish. Frozen peas are often boiled for time and simplicity reasons, but another method really makes them sing.
If you have 10 minutes spare, sautéing the wholesome veg turns them into buttery little gems that are sweeter and crisper than they ought to be. Food publication Tasting Table asserts that sautéing is the best way to cook frozen peas. Going even further, they say boiling peas is “one of the most common mistakes” everyone seems to make, explaining: “It’s a fast way to overcook your already cooked vegetables.”
The cooking method is also recommended by popular food blogger Nagi of RecipeTin Eats.
“Make frozen peas fabulous with this recipe for garlic buttered peas!” she said.
“A quick side dish that goes with everything, the peas are sauté-steamed in garlic butter, rather than boiling separately. Easier, tastier, never mushy, and so tasty you’ll become known for them.”
Her method for buttery peas that are “totally restaurant-worthy” takes just five steps. She said, “Delicious to eat as is – I challenge you to stop at one spoonful.”
Ingredients
- Frozen peas
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
You can sauté peas “to perfection” by just cooking them in butter or oil with your choice of seasonings.
A few simple seasoning ideas depending on your mood and meal – fresh garlic and pepper, shallots and parmesan cheese, fresh mint and lemon.
“And as the most important factors to keep in mind are texture and taste, the best way to cook frozen peas is actually to saute them in a skillet with butter or oil and your favourite seasonings,” said Tasting Table.
“The process takes no more than 10 minutes and will yield a far more delectable dish of flavorful, hearty peas than boiling ever does.
Method
Sauté garlic – Melt the butter, then sauté the garlic until very light golden on medium heat, around 30 seconds.
Tip the frozen peas in with salt and pepper. Add one tablespoon of water, which creates a steamy environment to cook the peas a little faster. The water evaporates in a few minutes, leaving behind just tasty butter!
Cook for five minutes, stirring every now and then, or until the peas are heated through. Frozen peas are cooked before freezing, so they don’t need to be cooked!
Serve – Done and ready to serve! Pour into a bowl or put straight onto dinner plates.