Jun 15 2009
Quick Dinner Ideas: Sugar Snap Peas Four Ways
Sugar Snap Pea season is in full swing. If you have the opportunity to buy them fresh from a farm stand like Migliorelli’s in Red Hook or Rhinebeck, the Rhinebeck Farmer’s Market, Hyde Park Farmer’s Market or get the chance to pick your own, do so quick before you miss out. Otherwise, check you local grocery store. Find your local farm market in New York.
If you don’t know what a sugar snap pea is, they look like snow peas, but they have full-size peas still inside and totally edible shell and all. You can usually find them alongside snow peas in your market. They also make a great snack to go along with baby carrots - just wash, trim the stem end and eat!
They also make an awesome quick side dish, salad topper or main dish. Here are 4 ways to help make dinnertime fast and tasty! One idea leads to another and another and…
Sugar Snap Pea Side Dish (Step 1)
1 lb of sugar snap peas
1-2 medium size onions - sliced
3-6 garlic cloves - sliced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
(Optional) - Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat
Saute onions in olive oil for 1-2 minutes on medium heat in a wok or sautee pan. Add garlic and sugar snap peas. Continue sauteeing until the garlic is soft. Add salt and pepper to taste. You’re done. This side dish is extremely flavorful and easy to make.
But wait! Here’s another idea…
Sugar Snap Pea Salad Topper with Dressing
Ingredients from Step 1 and…
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Spoon the side dish above into a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil (Or use your Magic Bullet, blender or food processor instead of a whisk). Toss with the snap pea side dish and refrigerate for 10 minutes, just long enough to cool. Serve over your favorite salad greens.
But there’s more…
Instead of making a salad dressing, what if you wanted a Chinese Stir Fry?
Chicken Sugar Snap Pea Stir Fry
Spoon the sugar snap pea side dish (from Step 1) into a bowl for later.
1 lb chicken or vegetarian seitan - cut into 1 inch chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons of Sake or Dry Sherry
2 tablespoons corn starch
1 scallion finely chopped (garnish)
Mix together 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, sake or sherry and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, set aside. Place chicken or seitan in a bowl; mix in 1 tablespoon of corn starch and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce until coated. Heat wok or skillet on high heat. Add olive oil - heat for 15 seconds. Add chicken/seitan - stir fry until no longer pink and it starts to brown a little (or until seitan heats through; 30-45 seconds). Toss in the sugar snap pea mixture from step 1, heat for 30-45 seconds. Mix thoroughly. Make an open spot in the middle of the food and stir the soy sauce/sherry/cornstarch mixture and add to the wok. Completely incorporate all the ingredients and plate immediately. Add scallions as garnish. Serve with plain white rice.
Hold it! We’re not done. Maybe you were really interested in eating Italian tonight…
Sugar Snap Pea Pasta Primavera
Take the Sugar Snap Pea dish from step 1 off the heat.
Primavera Sauce
2 teaspoons butter or margarine or olive oil
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup skim milk or 1% low-fat milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
12-16 ounces of spaghetti
Cook pasta according to instructions. In a small heavy saucepan, melt the butter or margarine, and add flour, whisking the roux over med-low heat for 1 minute- gradually add the milk and broth, stirring constantly till the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the Parmesan and basil and heat the sauce over med-low heat, stirring until cheese is melted. Pour the sauce over the veggie mixture and toss gently to coat. Place the cooked pasta in a large warmed bowl and spread the veggie and sauce mixture over the pasta, toss the the pasta gently, once or twice, and serve with additional Parmesan, if desired.
