Fresh peas are absolutely delicious. The canned variety is not nearly as flavorful because the life has literally been cooked away along with the garden fresh taste. Stop buying canned vegetables and opt for frozen or fresh options, especially when the garden provides a large quantity. It is not necessary to give it away. Instead of just cooking them in a pan of water, try these new ways to use fresh peas. Enjoy a different version of a favorite garden vegetable as a side dish or main course every night of the week.
Blend Smashed Fresh Peas into Mashed Spuds with Bacon Bits
The same mashed potatoes become boring week after week. Instead of the usual butter, salt and pepper, blend in cooked, smashed peas. The peas will add visual appeal with a fresh new color, and it will taste even better than it looks. Blend in hickory smoked bacon bits for an even greater new flavor as well as a greatly enhanced texture. The peas and potatoes can be topped with the usual butter, but this fat-laden addition might not be necessary since it will taste great as it is.
Make Easy Pea Pesto for Topping Pasta
The usual pasta toppings also become blase when served time and time again. Top a favorite variety of pasta with something different. Try fresh pea pesto instead of the basil variety. Simply blend two cups of fresh peas with olive oil, a splash of fresh lemon juice, crushed basil, minced garlic and a little parmesan cheese. This makes a fast and easy topping for fettuccine, shells or other types of pasta. Serve this pesto made with peas alongside crusty Italian garlic bread and an antipasto salad with Italian dressing.
Enhance Canned Soups with Fresh Peas
Canned soups are good, but they generally lack body, especially cheap condensed varieties. Jazz up condensed pea soup with fresh peas from the garden. Peas can also be added to veggie soup, cream of potato and many more. This is a great way to use a large amount of garden peas, especially when serving soup as a main dish. They can be added whole or mashed. In any case the peas will add tremendous flavor and substance to otherwise ordinary soup.
Deviled Eggs with Fresh Peas
Who says that deviled eggs must have yellow centers? Do something different and far more colorful, and try using fresh peas in a unique new way. Smash fresh peas along with egg yolks. Blend them with a favorite variety of mayo or plain yogurt and a little salad mustard. Add finely chopped bacon bits, and fill hard boiled egg halves. They will taste absolutely delicious, and this new way to make deviled eggs might just become a requested favorite.