Our garden is already overrun with adorable little pea pods, those sweet round bursts of flavor that signal “spring” more reliably than those tweety little robin red-breasts.

 

And we can’t help but recite the corny old rhyme: “I eat my peas with honey, I’ve done it all my life. It makes the peas taste funny, but it keeps them on my knife.”

 

Thank goodness we’ve collected some recipes more likely to encourage pea-ingestion—though we’ve got to admit, they’re just so darn fun to chase around on the plate. Try an irresistible salad topped with fresh mint, an enticing alternative to guacamole (so green, so fresh!), and hearty entrées polka-dotted with cheerful greens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Peas with Mint

Paired with the other fresh, green spring flavor—mint—this salad can be thrown together in seconds and left to mingle its flavors and arrive, in its own good time, at room temperature.

 

 

 

 

Pea Salad

Mint jelly is the secret ingredient in this unique dish. We particularly like the suggested serving style—who wouldn’t be tempted by these teeny grassy knolls?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Pea Mash

There’s no danger of losing your peas in a tragic tipped-spoon accident when they’ve been puréed into delicious submission. Bacon and scallions add a burst of flavor to this side dish, which is smooth with the addition of sour cream and a bright accompaniment to seafood and lamb dishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar Pea and Jerusalem Artichoke Saute

Never heard of these “sunchokes?” (They’re actually not artichokes at all, but the roots of the sunflower, and mighty delicious.) Water chestnuts will be just as good in this crunchy, nutrient-packed side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Pea Soup with Tarragon

It might taste supersmooth, but there’s no cream in this fresh pea soup, served hot or chilled and wreathed with delicate flavors.

 

 

 

 

 

Classic Risotto with Peas

It’s not difficult to get this creamy, veggie-packed rice dish right—just a little time-consuming. But it’s worth it. Stir in shrimp to make this a one-dish meal.

 

 

 

 

 

Creamy Scallop Pea Fettuccini

Tastes so rich, with its lovely sea scallops and cheese-laced sauce, but a few key ingredients make this a secretly less-decadent main course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curried Beef with Peas and Grape Tomatoes

Hearty without being heavy, this easy entrée combines spring flavors with Indian spices for a palate-pleasing treat.

 

Get more peas recipes!

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: Dinner Tonight | Tags: Pea Salads, Pea Soup, Peas, Risotto, Vegetables
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