Peas in Mint Cream
Here's what distinguishes this recipe from most mint and pea recipes -- the mint is steeped in the cream for half an hour.
We get to work chopping and leaf selecting.
One handsome little shallot.
Chopping shallots.
Softening the shallots in olive oil.
Merrill removes the mint from the cream.
Once the shallots are soft, the peas are added to the saucepan, followed by the mint-steeped cream.
Then you bring the mixture to a low boil and cook briefly (just 2 minutes for us) to concentrate the cream....
and emulsify the oil into the cream. These little beads of oil disappear as the cream simmers.
Lastly, a second infusion of mint!
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Author Notes: For the last two years, I've made this recipe for Easter, but cheating (well, cheating might be a harsh term, it's really using what's available, as peas aren't quite ready that early in the year in New England) by using frozen peas. Because the mint in my garden is also not producing by Easter, this recipe is designed to use an entire package of supermarket mint (to avoid waste). If you choose to double the recipe, it isn't necessary to double the olive oil and shallot. - poorgirlgourmet - poorgirlgourmet
Food52 Review: We liked that poorgirlgourmet didn't try to reinvent the wheel -- she simply improved upon this delicious spring staple by infusing the milk with mint in addition to adding fresh mint at the end of cooking. These bookends of mint give the dish a soulful fragrance. If you need to use frozen peas like we did, you'll need to alter the cooking times. Our peas and cream were ready after 2 minutes of simmering -- better to err on the side of a thin sauce than a thick one. - A&M - A&M
Serves 4 to 6
- 1 cup light cream
- 2-3 sprigs fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 16 ounces peas, defrosted if using frozen
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- the leaves of 2-3 sprigs fresh mint, coarsely chopped
- At least an hour before preparing the peas, place the mint in a small saucepan and pour the light cream over it. Over medium-low heat, warm the cream until it is scalded (the point when it has just starting to steam and small bubbles can be seen around the rim of the pan), 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on this process, because you don't want the cream to boil, and it doesn't take but a moment of not paying attention to go from scald to boil.
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mint to steep in the cream for another 30 to 45 minutes. You can make the mint cream a day before if you like, just transfer the mint and cream to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, removing it from the refrigerator 20 minutes or so before cooking the peas so that the cream isn't refrigerator cold at the point when you pour it into the pan with the peas.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, then add the shallot and saute until the shallot is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
- While the shallot is cooking, remove the mint from the cream and discard the cooked mint. Add the peas to the pan, then pour in the cream. Cook until the cream is reduced by half and the peas are warmed through, stirring frequently, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, remove the peas from the heat, then stir in the chopped mint, and serve them forth.
- Your Best Recipe for Spring Peas Contest Finalist!
Tags: Holidays, serves a crowd
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about 2 years ago avimom
Very easy to make and tasted delicious! Great for feeding a holiday crowd.
about 3 years ago shayma
this is a glorious recipe. love it. you have my vote!
about 3 years ago TasteFood
This is cheerful comfort food - lovely. Congratulations!
about 3 years ago poorgirlgourmet
Hi Lynda - that's very well said, it really is a happy comfort food dish! Thank you!
about 3 years ago lastnightsdinner
Yay, Amy! I was hoping you'd post this :)
about 3 years ago poorgirlgourmet
Hi Jen, I was thrilled when I saw the category and had a recipe ready to go. I've been on the sidelines for so long here, it's nice to finally be a participant!