Gousto's Lead Recipe Developer Sophie Nahmad says frozen peas can be sweeter than fresh peas and shares a restaurant cooking method that transforms them.
Glaze instead of boil
"Rather than boiling peas, try glazing them. Add them to a frying pan with a small knob of butter, a splash of water and a pinch of salt," says Sophie. "As the water evaporates, the peas become coated in a glossy glaze that boosts flavour and gives them a much more luxurious texture."
Why frozen can be sweeter
"People are often shocked when I tell them that frozen peas can be sweeter than fresh," says Sophie. "Peas begin converting their natural sugars into starch almost immediately after they're picked. 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."
Seven pea hacks
Sophie shares seven chef-approved tricks for frozen peas:
- Glaze instead of boil: Use a frying pan with butter, water and salt.
- Roast from frozen: Roast straight from the freezer for a sweeter, nuttier flavour, great over salads and pasta.
- Cook in stock: Use light vegetable stock instead of water for extra flavour.
- Use mint stalks: Add while cooking, then remove before serving for freshness without leaves.
- Ice water plunge: After cooking, plunge into ice water to stop cooking and keep peas plump and bright.
- Citrus zest: Add lemon or other citrus zest for brightness without overpowering sweetness.
- Pinch of sugar: Enhances natural sweetness without making them sugary.
Golden rule
Sophie says: "Peas are one of the quickest vegetables to cook. Most frozen peas only need a few minutes. Treat them as a fresh ingredient rather than an afterthought and you'll get far more flavour from them."
