Now I know where the saying “easy peasy” comes from. This recipe, clearly. It involves a grand total of 3 ingredients (if you don’t count salt and pepper). When I first saw the recipe in Everyday Food, I was immediately drawn to it because it was so beautiful and green! So, when I went to my parents’ house this past weekend to celebrate a late Mother’s Day, I decided to make it as a little appetizer.
Minted Pea Mash:
- 1 T unsalted butter
- 2 bags (10 oz. each) frozen peas, thawed
- 1/3 C lightly packed fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
So, like I said, the recipe is super easy-peasy. All you do is melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then add the peas and cook, stirring constantly until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
I love cooking in my parents’ kitchen where everyone is hanging out! One of my favorite things about getting together with my family is playing board games. This time we played some Trivial Pursuit… We actually tried to play it on the Wii, but something was wonky with the television, so we were forced to go back to the “old days.” We also had some fun with “Words with Friends” on the iPads!
My dad actually had a bunch of mint in the garden, so I used some super fresh homegrown mint with the store-bought.
I love the way my hands smell after chopping mint! I needed quite a bit as the recipe called for 1/3 C. So, I chopped it up.
This recipe works best if you have a food processor, but you can certainly use a blender, too. Just put the peas in the food processor and pulse them until they’re coarsely pureed.
To some this might not look incredibly appetizing, but to my pea-loving self, this looks like heaven.
I left the peas in the food processor while we headed out to the deck for a brief family photo shoot.
The still newlyweds. Can’t believe it will be a year in September!
Me and Chris… And my incredibly pale arm.
OK back to the peas (good thing this recipe is super uncomplicated or I would not be able to handle everything going on around me).
Stir in the mint and season with salt and pepper. That’s it!!
We sat out on the deck to enjoy our appetizer. It was the perfect evening. Not hot, but warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the last couple hours of sunlight.
The dip was SO vibrant and pretty. Helloooo, green!
I wasn’t totally sure what to serve it with, but my sister brought some parmesan crackers and mini rye toasts, both from Trader Joe’s. Both worked well (and were delicious!).
Martha Stewart also suggests trying it as a side with roasted chicken. Yum yum!
The sky was so pretty, I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos.
I’m sure they didn’t think this photo would end up on the blog:
I was too into dinner that I totally forgot to take any photos. My dad made absolutely DELICIOUS barbecue ribs, along with baked beans and pasta salad. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Oh, and don’t forget dessert! My sister made these yummy chocolate cupcakes with delightful frosting.
I’m kind of excited about this minted pea mash and have a feeling I’ll definitely be making more of it in the future. It’s so quick and easy and I think it can be used in alll sorts of dishes! Or I could always add something like bacon too it (!!!).
What’s your favorite super simple, barely any ingredients needed recipe?
[Sues]
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What a great app! Peas are so yummy. I think this would be good with some sunflower seeds or pine nuts mixed in too! You have such a beautiful family
So Susie enjoys feeding me things that I say I don’t like. Having said that every time she does this she cures me of another one of my childhood food fears. This was really good. Also on a side note Words With Friends for the iPad and iPhone is addicting so don’t say you weren’t warned if you decide to give it a try.
OOH! I just added this to the menu this weekend when my girlfriend from NYC comes into town! Amazing!! I think I’ll pair it with some white bean mash
I just recently made a yummy vegan bean dip with drained can of pinto beans, a cup of salsa and some dashes of cayenne, cumin and coriander with salt and pepper to salt. Super easy and super good to use just ingredients lying around the kitchen.
I’ve never tried peas + mint together, but it does look beautiful.
Have you ever had real English-style mushy peas? They’re eaten warm as a side dish. A lot like this and oh so yummy!
The best thing about this is that it is something no one else will bring to the party – it is so unique. Looks delicious!
My fave go to easy app is hummus! a can of drained chickpeas, a few tablespoons of tahini and some olive oil, salt and pepper all whirled in a food processor is the base recipe and then I add in whatever i have around. Last week I had a ton of fresh dill so I added that and it was delicious. Or i’ll add a small jar of drained roasted red peppers or a handful of black olives. Now you have me thinking I should add some cooked peas and mint next time!
mmm i love peas! and would you believe that i haven’t yet used the food processor that i got for christmas?! ive been waiting until matt and i started cohabitating for some reason. so, just a week away and ill whip up this dip in no time!
Wow, what an interesting dish…peas and mint…must taste nice and refreshing
Favorite quick app recipe (actually a friends) is fruit dip – 1 box instant vanilla pudding, mixed with sour cream and pinapple juice…quick, light and fabulously delish! Goes best with strawberries and pineapple.
Your haircut still looks so great! Hah, so does the recipe
wow, 3 ingredients = a perfect dish!
This sounds so fresh and perfect for summer. I am with you—I LOVE green and all green food so this recipe gets me very excited!