{Week 29 Vegetable Experiment: Peas}

10/26/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Oh, peas! I've been excited to try out the fresh version of you...

I bought some at the market in the spring and they camped out in my refrigerator until I realized they probably weren't good anymore...

And they weren't in season all summer, so when I saw fresh shelled peas at the market this week, I just had to get some...

They're going to become Italian Peas! Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/italian-peas/
Picture
I remember cans of peas being dumped into a bowl as a kid, and nothing about that was appetizing... Wrinkly, wet, syrupy, yellowish/green... Ugh! I've never tried them, except mixed into soups or pasta dishes... which I still pick out when it's easy enough...

So I've been anxious to see if they're any better when fresh. I mean, they look beautiful that way!
Picture
This recipe mixed in some onions, garlic & chicken broth.

I didn't want to open chicken broth for just 1 Tablespoon, so I followed the suggestion to just use 1 T water and a sprinkle of chicken bouillon. I also added an extra spoonful of water because the skillet seemed a little dry.

I also tried a recommendation by a reviewer to add a sprinkle of parm cheese on top before serving.
Picture
All of these years of "hating" the idea of peas... Definitely a little nervous!
Picture
Not instantly in love, but I'm thinking about it...

I didn't instantly hate it either, so that's a start!

I did finish my helping, but didn't go back for seconds.


Picture
Eh, I declare this one a semi-success...

I'll definitely try peas again, but maybe not with this recipe. There has to be a better way to like peas!

I really want to like peas, so if anyone has a suggestion of a way to make a picky eater fall in love with peas, send it my way!
0 Comments

{Week 7 Vegetable Challenge: Black Eyed Peas}

1/1/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture

I decided to try a Southern dish that is usually served on New Year's for good luck (since I wasn't really into saur kraut for this week's challenge), it's called Hoppin John... I used both of the following recipes:

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/hoppin_john/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/hoppin-john-recipe/index.html
Picture





Seriously, I love how cute these little buggers are...
Picture




No time today for a good "after" pic of the cooked dish, but I recruited my cousin and her friend to try these with me...
Picture



Verdict? Not terrible... For some reason, it seemed a little bland, which I wasn't expecting from a Southern dish. Maybe I missed something, but I definitely didn't hate the peas, so they have hope! I may try tweaking this recipe again in the future or looking for another Black Eyed Peas recipe!
0 Comments

{Week 5 Vegetable Challenge: Snow Peas}

12/23/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture





Granted, it's the later end of Week 5, but it's still within my week, so at least I made it!

This weeks challenge - the cousin of last's week's Snap Peas, whom I accidently bought... SNOW PEAS! It's Christmas Eve Eve and it's 60 degrees, this is as close as we're getting to snow on Christmas this year!
Picture



These little guys are going to become my own modifcation of Sesame Snap Peas...

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sesame-snap-peas/detail.aspx
Picture




I didn't actually have any chili oil, so I adapted by using olive oil and adding my own hot chili pepper flakes from the garden last year... I was doubting myself as I choked and coughed as the hot pepper fumes permeated the air, but in the end, it actually gave quite a great taste!

I didn't have any sesame oil or sesame seeds, so I don't know if I really can say I used the recipe, but it's close...
Picture





The snow peas are much cuter than snap peas, they're petite and less bulky and intimidating...
Picture





Turning good and golden, sizzling away in the skillet...
Picture





Me vs. snow pea!
Picture



Taste testing...

(PS - Where are you Kate??? The first veggie experiment I had to taste and document without you!?!)
Picture






I survived! And enjoyed it!
Picture



And I declare it a SUCCESS! Snow Peas are now part of the good veggie list!

Although I didn't actually have any type of sesame to include this time... with kick of the chili oil, sea salt and fresh ground pepper, sauteed in the skillet - where can you go wrong! So delish!!!
0 Comments

{Week 4 Vegetable Challenge: Snap Peas}

12/11/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture

Okay - pop quiz! Which one is a sugar snap pea? Well, first I bought the ones on the left, which I know are Snow Peas, but the ones on the right I found later, and they were called Snap Peas... none actually called Sugar Snap Peas, at least according to the stands at the farmers market... Are one of these a Sugar Snap Pea?

And I guess I already have my next veggie with the Snow Peas since I ended up buying both, huh?
Picture


These are a baked/roasted recipe for snap peas. Mostly new ingredients to me, which is maybe a little dangerous because when I don't like a certain taste, I can't pinpoint which taste I don't like... This used Peas, Shallots, Thyme & Olive Oil.

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sugar-snap-peas/detail.aspx
Picture





Fresh out of the oven!
Picture




Having a little "green" on our places makes it look so much more balanced! Served with lemon garlic tilapia and four cheese pasta.
Picture
And trying the first bite... The verdict? Not terrible, but in my opinion, not amazing. There was a taste that I call "gardeny" that I can't put my finger on... I think maybe it was the thyme. I was able to eat my whole portion on my plate and I'll definitely try making snap peas again, but I already have a different recipe lined up. I'll save that for another week. (At least I have the Pumpkin Gems to wash them down!)

PS - Kate and Brandon liked it, but they aren't as picky as me. And Kate likes to eat these babies raw anyway.
0 Comments