Stop boiling frozen peas as another method makes them taste 'sweet and vibrant'
If, like millions of people, you boil your frozen peas, there's a better way that makes them taste much better
Cooking frozen peas is possibly one of the easiest steps when preparing a meal, but one expert says we need to stop tossing them into boiling water a few minutes. In fact, boiling your peas is a sure fire way to make them 'bland' says Erica Walker, cook and co founder of Favorite Family Recipes.
So if you've been happily making the popular accompaniment this way for years, it might come as a surprise to learn it's incorrect. Instead, we need to sauté peas to maintain their vibrant flavour and their nutrients which is lost when boiling them.
The process of adding them to boiling water and cooking this way dilutes the flavour and causes their natural sugars to seep out into the water.
Peas are packed with vitamins including vitamins C and B and these are lost in the process of boiling them, says Erica.
"You can have sweet, crisp, vibrant green peas in less than ten minutes."
Instead, it is much better to sauté peas as it will enhance their natural sweetness so you will have a more vibrant vegetable that is more flavourful and appetising to eat.
She said to always take the time to sauté peas with a little bit of butter as it greatly improves the taste and also gives them a better texture as they will be slightly firm rather than a mushy overcooked mess.
Erica said sautéing frozen peas makes them tastier and actually makes them much quicker to cook, as you do not have to wait for the water to boil, reports The Express.
How to make frozen peas tastier
You will need:
One bag of frozen green peas
Three cloves of garlic (crushed)
Two teaspoons of sugar
Six tablespoons of butter
Salt and pepper
Instructions
To begin, add the peas, butter, sugar and garlic to a large frying pan. It may seem odd to use sugar but it helps bring out the peas inherent flavour and balances their slightly bitter aftertaste.
Erica said: 'Add a little sugar to the peas. Just enough to enhance the natural sweetness of the peas. It's ok, it won't taste weird and it will bring out the natural sweetness.'
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Once the the peas and fully cooked, turn off the heat and then season them with salt and pepper.
If you wish you can also add other toppings such as mint, lemon juice or even parmesan cheese for more flavour.
Erica said: 'Don't add salt until ready to serve. Salting them too early can dehydrate them and they (obviously) won't be as sweet.
"Salt them after they have cooked and you can salt to taste.'
Your peas will be a delicious side dish that is bursting with flavour rather than a bitter overcooked vegetable you feel obligated to to eat.
Place the frying pan on a medium heat and cook the peas for five to seven minutes until the butter has melted. Make sure to stir them so none of the peas stick to the bottom of the pan.
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