A chef has revealed a simple restaurant trick that makes frozen peas taste better than fresh. Sophie Nahmad, lead recipe developer at meal kit company Gousto, explains that frozen peas can often be sweeter than their fresh counterparts due to the speed of processing.
Instead of boiling, Nahmad recommends glazing peas in a frying pan with a knob of butter, a splash of water and a pinch of salt. 'As the water evaporates, the peas become coated in a glossy glaze that boosts flavour and gives them a much more luxurious texture,' she says.
Frozen peas retain more sweetness because they are harvested and frozen within hours, whereas fresh peas begin converting sugars to starch soon after picking. 'Because frozen peas are usually harvested and frozen within hours, they can retain more sweetness than fresh peas that have spent days being transported, stored and displayed on supermarket shelves,' Nahmad adds.
For a different flavour profile, she suggests roasting frozen peas straight from the freezer. 'They become sweeter, slightly nutty and develop a texture that's completely different from boiled peas,' she says, recommending them for salads, pasta and grain bowls.
To avoid shrivelled or dull peas, Nahmad advises plunging cooked peas into ice water immediately. 'It stops the cooking process instantly and helps keep them plump, bright and sweet,' she explains.
