Creamed Peas

Creamed peas are the traditional side dish to a traditional main dish called meat loaf. Lots of kid have grown up relishing the flavors of authentic creamed peas that their mom's used to make them. This dish has something warm and comforting about it, and though it is a side dish, sometimes, you can jazz it up a little, and have it as a meal by itself. Find here, how to make creamed peas, in a variety of ways.

Creamed Peas with Mint - Serves 6

Ingredients

• Frozen peas, 1 bag, thawed
• Heavy cream, ¾ cup
• Fresh mint leaves, ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
• Unsalted butter 2 tablespoons
• Celery, 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
• Onion, 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
• Salt, ¼ teaspoon
• Black pepper, a pinch

Procedure

1. Rinse the peas under cold running water, and drain them in a colander.
2. In a saucepan over a medium flame, pour in the heavy cream along with the mint, and allow it to simmer, while continuously stirring, until it thickens and its quantity reduces, for about 4-5 minutes.
3. Once done, take it off the heat, and pour it through a mesh sieve, so that the mint leaves is separated from the cream. Discard the mint once the cream has drained.
4. In another saucepan over a medium flame, melt the butter, and add in the onion and celery. Cook until they are tender.
5. Now add in the peas, and cook further till the peas are tender, for about 3-5 minutes.
6. Pour in the mint-flavored cream, salt and pepper, while stirring occasionally. Do this for a minute, or until the peas have been completely coated by the cream.
7. Add in a small amount of salt to taste, and mix in the remaining 2 tablespoons of mint leaves.
8. Serve steaming hot.

Easy Creamed Peas with Onion Rings - Serves 4

Ingredients

• Frozen peas, 1½ to 2 cups
• Water, 1½ cups
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
• Heavy cream, ½ cup
• Butter, 2 tablespoons
• Onion rings, ¾ cup, thinly sliced
• Flour, 1 tablespoon
• Pimiento, 1 tablespoon, diced
• Salt, a dash
• Pepper, a dash
• Nutmeg, a dash

Procedure

1. In a saucepan, put the onion rings, the water, and 1 tsp salt, and allow it to boil for about 5-7 minutes. Add in the peas and allow it to cook till the peas are tender.
2. Drain the water from the peas and the onions, in a colander. Save about ¾ of the water it was cooked in.
3. In another saucepan, over a medium flame, melt the butter. Add in the cream, flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir continuously till the texture is smooth.
4. Toss in the pimiento, pour in the cream, and the water reserved from the boiled peas and onions.
5. Stir continuously, till the cream has thickened. Add in the vegetables and allow them to cook till they are thoroughly heated.

Creamed Peas with Potatoes Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• Red potatoes, 4 medium, cubed
• Frozen peas, 1 pack (10 ounces)
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon
• Butter, 2 tablespoons
• All-Purpose flour, 2 tablespoons
• Salt, ½ teaspoon
• White pepper, ¼ teaspoon
• Milk, 1½ cups
• Fresh dill, 2 tablespoons minced

Procedure

1. In a large saucepan, place the potatoes and fill the pan with water, and allow them to boil for 15-20 minutes, till they are tender.
2. Cook the peas as directed on the package, and add sugar to it while cooking.
3. In another saucepan, melt the butter. Add in the flour, salt and pepper, and cook for a minute.
4. Slowly pour in the milk, while stirring continuously. Allow the contents to come to a boil, stirring occasionally, till the sauce thickens.
5. Add in the fresh dill.
6. Drain the peas and the potatoes, and put them in a large serving bowl. Pour the cooked sauce over the two, and stir it all together, so that the vegetables are well-coated.

Other Interesting Additions to Creamed Peas

While creamed peas is the perfect side dish to a delicious meat loaf, you can even have creamed peas on its own by adding in it a few yummy ingredients.

• Creamed peas on a buttered toast is an interesting way of eating this yummy dish. To enhance it further, first spread some tuna on the toast, and then put the peas on it. Yum!
• Add to this some shredded bacon, for a delicious twist to the meal.
• While making the sauce put in it a cheese of your choice, to enhance the texture and flavor of the recipe.
• When you melt the butter, add in some crushed garlic and cook and introduce this delightful spice to your meal.
• For Italian flavors, add in some oregano and thyme while preparing the sauce, along with the cheese.
• If you like your food spicy, add a dash of hot sauce on the creamy peas when you are ready to eat.

Feeling nostalgic? Whip up these quick and easy recipes, and relive those simple days. Remember, you ought to have something your kids remember you by.