This traditional French recipe for cooking fresh garden peas makes a wonderful accompaniment for meats. The sweet peas, pearl onions, and tender lettuce are simmered in a flavorful broth, creating a savory, delicate dish. Whether you're serving it alongside a roast or grilled meat, this dish is a perfect way to enhance any meal with its light, fresh flavors.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Garden Peas à la Française
Servings: 8
Calories: 158kcal
Ingredients
8poundsfresh peas in the pod,OR 1 pound frozen French peas
2mediumbutter lettuce
1poundpearl onions
1.5tablespoonsugar
2tablespoonsbutter
1smallbouquet garni
Water or stock enough to barely cover
Salt and freshly ground pepper,to taste
Instructions
Soak the pearl onions into warm water before peeling. Shell the peas. Peel the onions and wash the lettuce and slice the leaves at about 1-inch intervals.
Gently sweat the onions for a few minutes in the butter with the bouquet garni but do not golden or brown. Sprinkle with the sugar then add the peas and lettuce leaves in alternate layers seasoning the peas with pepper and salt each time. Pour in sufficient water or stock for the simmering liquid to cook the top layer of peas and cook gently for about 20 minutes or until tender. If using frozen peas, follow the same procedures as above.
Presentation: To serve, remove the bouquet garni and present in a serving dish, but do not drain. The sweet cooking juices will blend very well with the gravies from the meat.