- ingredients a-z
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Peas
Season: Home grown best in June and July
One very sad but thought-provoking incident happened to me a few years ago. I was buying fresh peas in the pod in a supermarket, and the sixth-former doing a Saturday job on the checkout asked me if I could tell her what they were. Perhaps the positive side of that comment was a kind of affirmation that I really needed to produce my How To Cook books.
Fresh-shelled peas are one of the most delightful vegetables of all – young and tender, they melt in the mouth when cooked and taste wonderful raw. Sure, it takes a bit of time to shell them, but sitting by an open window, or in the garden on a bright summer's day, shelling peas can be wonderful therapy. When they first arrive they're incredibly sweet and tender, but later on they get bigger and have quite a different character and flavour. I like both equally.
Imported Kenyan peas are not quite as good as the summer home-grown peas, but I think we are very fortunate to have them available all year round, and ready-shelled, too.
To cook young, fresh-shelled peas, first remember to buy 8 oz (225 g) in the pod per person. After shelling, pop them in a steamer with some salt and give them 1 minute before you bite one; they shouldn't take any longer than 2 minutes in all. If they are a bit older, they may need 3-4 minutes.
Serves 4Thai Green Rice
This, thankfully, is a Thai recipe that doesn't require all the speciality ingredients that are sometimes so elusive. The list of ingredients seems rather long, but it is made in moments and has a lovely fragrant flavour.
Serves 6Braised Peas, Rocket and Spring Onions
This is a good recipe for slightly older peas, which, in my opinion, sometimes have more texture and flavour than the younger ones. However, if the peas you are using are very young, give them far less cooking time – 8 minutes at the most.
Serves 4Chinese Stir-fried Rice
The most important point to remember if you want to fry rice successfully is that it must be cooked but cold, so you must cook the rice ahead and then allow it to cool completely. I have used authentic Chinese ingredients here
Serves 6-8Baby Summer Vegetables with Lemon Vinaigrette
Make the most of summer beans and other vegetables in this gorgeous vegetarian recipe which can be eaten on its own or as an accompaniment. And if the weather is less than kind, you can serve it warm instead of cold as a salad.
Serves 6The London Particular
Split peas and bacon make this a hearty, appetising and filling soup for a winter's day. Incidentally it's so-named after the 'peasouper' fogs that embroiled London in earlier times.
