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Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Expert says we're cooking frozen peas wrong and shares method
Frozen peas are a kitchen staple, but you might be cooking them all wrong - according to a culinary expert who says boiling them makes them 'mushy' and 'bland' Boiling frozen peas might be the standard method of cooking them for many, but a culinary expert has warned that this technique can turn them "mushy" and "bland". When you boil peas, you're essentially leaching out their flavour as the sugars leach into the water, according to Erica Walker, co-founder of Favorite Family Recipes. In contrast, she recommends sauteing the little green gems to unlock their natural sweetness, creating a tastier and more visually appealing side dish. She said: "There's actually a correct way to cook frozen peas, and it isn't boiling! You can have sweet, crisp, vibrant green peas in less than 10 minutes." This common cooking error not only diminishes the taste but also results in the loss of key nutrients, boiling away vitamins C and B. By gently frying your peas with a little bit of butter, you'll elevate their flavour and retain a delightful crunch, steering clear of overboiled, soggy peas. Plus, you'll find that sauteing frozen peas not only preserves their flavour, but it's also quicker since there's no waiting for a pot of water to boil, reports the Express. How to make frozen peas taste better Simply throw peas, butter, sugar, and garlic into a large frying pan. Adding sugar may seem unusual, but it will help underline the inherent succulence of the peas while nullifying any potential bitterness. 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." She also shared the perfect moment to season your peas for maximum flavour. "Don't add salt until ready to serve," she said. "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." Dish out these perfectly seasoned peas and you'll be treated to a side that's bursting with taste, a delightful change from the usual bitter, overdone greens that can sometimes seem like a tedious task to get through.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
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.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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.
