James Carrier
Notes: This pretty side dish makes a nice accompaniment to salmon or a simple roast chicken. Using all three types of peas makes it special, but it's also delicious with any single type or two combined.
How to Make It
Step 1
Trim sugar snap and snow peas, then blanch along with shelled fresh peas.
Step 2
Rinse leek well, flipping layers under running water to remove grit. Thinly slice crosswise.
Step 3
In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium heat, melt butter. When it's foamy, add leek and stir until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in cream, increase heat to medium-high, and stir often until liquid is reduced by about half, 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4
Add all the peas and half the mint and stir just until heated through, about 1 minute. Pour into a serving bowl and sprinkle with remaining mint.
Step 5
How to Prepare Peas:
Step 6
To shell fresh pea pods, break open the pods by pressing on one end - the pod should pop open at the seam. Then run your thumb down the opening to release the peas. One pound of peas in the pod yields approximately 1 cup of shelled peas.
Step 7
To trim edible-pea pods, such as sugar snap and snow, cut or snap off ends and pull up sharply to remove any string on the pea. Discard ends and strings.
Step 8
To blanch fresh peas (either shelled or whole edible-pod types), if the recipe calls for it, bring water to a boil in a large pan, then add peas. Cook just until they start to turn a brighter green, 15 to 30 seconds, then drain immediately. Rinse well under cold running water until cool, then drain again.
