Friday, May 6, 2011

Sauteed Sugarsnap Peas with Ginger and Garlic



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...What do you eat and, more importantly share, when your legs feel like mush and your brain thinks it's oatmeal? I'll wager the first thing that came to your mind is fresh sugarsnap peas. That's what jumped into mine. While I am, of course, jesting, this garden plain Jane can be made interesting with a little effort and a bit of garlic and ginger. The little effort part was especially appealing to me this evening. I'm battling eye strain, allergies and a body that thinks it's too old to do what it's been told to do. It's been forced to do some exercise it finds unpleasant and it's retaliating with aches and pains that are worthy of a television commercial. There is nothing seriously wrong, but a portion of the time we'll be spending in Turkey involves hiking on steep and uneven terrain. I'm an endurance champion on flat land, but the prospect of billy goat terrain convinced me my legs needed more and different exercise than they had been getting. They don't like the stair master - at all - but they are now in official training for our fall trip to Turkey and Morocco, and until they're accustomed to the new regime, easy dinners will be the order of the day. I decided to do a simple grilled salmon with steamed rice and included this slightly Asian version of sugarsnap peas. I love these peas, but they come with a caution. Unless they are field fresh they need to be "stringed" before being eaten. That simply means that the fibrous string that runs along the top of the pod must be removed. To do this, break off the stem tip of the pea pod. The stem is a rough area that extends slightly out from the top of the pod. You'll hear a snapping sound as the stem breaks. Gently pull the stem downward, pulling the strings on either side of the pod with it. This is an easy dish to make. In a pinch, you can even use garlic and ginger from a jar and have passably good results. The peas are sauteed and are table ready five minutes after they hit the pan. Those of you who are looking for new ways to prepare vegetables will enjoy them fixed in this manner. Here's the recipe.

Sauteed Sugarsnap Peas with Ginger and Garlic...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Food.com

Ingredients:
1 pound sugarsnap peas
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced or finely shredded fresh ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
1) String peas by beginning at tip and pulling strings on eith side down. If peas are very young, you can omit this step. Cut off stem ends and leave whole. Place in colander and rinse under cold water. Shake well and drain.
2) In large skillet heat oil. Add garlic and ginger and saute briefly about 30 seconds. Add peas and, over medium high heat, toss and cook for 2-4 minutes, depending how large they are. Do not ovcercook. Add salt and pepper just as they are finished cooking. Serve immediately.
Yield: 2 - 4 servings.








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71 comments :

Katarina said...

So fresh and good! Have a great weekend!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

My husband loves Sugar Snap Peas - will have to try this dish

Alessandra said...

I am sorry about your aches and pains and allergies, you are amazing at always blogging away anyway, and with such lovely recipes. This one I really like, I am also working on a post with ginger, I think that ginger must have some healing effects :-)

Take care and have a relaxing week-end

ciao
Alessandra

Diane said...

Three of my favourite flavours together so this has to be good. Take care. Diane

Priya Suresh said...

Soo yummy and wonderful..

Katerina said...

This is a wonderful side dish, with a touch of Asian flair in it!

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

YUM! I love green vegetable! Very refreshing. I just had the sugar snap peas but cooked last Tuesday. I'll have to try your recipe next time I buy this vegetable! Thanks for sharing!

Maria said...

This sounds simple yet delicious, perfect recipe!

Anonymous said...

I love sugar snap peas and can eat them raw buy the kilo :) Enjoy your training and your weekend!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I have long suspected that you are a toughie, Mary. Eye strain, allergiesa and sore muscles and you are still cooking. Impressive. I would be ordering pizza. Hope your on the mend. I have never had allergies until we moved to Chicago and it is driving me crazy.

Fondly,
Glenda

Rita said...

What a lovely wasy to serve tthes beauties; have to try this. I knw exactly how you feel.
Rita

Elaine said...

I'm sorry to hear about the allergies, but your trip in the fall sounds wonderful. This pea dish looks so fresh and simple to prepare. Have a great day, Mary.

The Harried Cook said...

I am so sorry to hear about your aches and allergies, Mary! I hope you feel better soon... You put out amazing looking food even when you're unwell! You are amazing... This looks fresh & inviting... Thanks for sharing :)

Lynn said...

The peas sound great Mary, the stair master does not:@)

What's next said...

those look beautiful!
it's a veg. I haven't cooked much, I'll have to try this.
I went to Turkey for a couple of days many moons ago......

pigpigscorner said...

This is simple, fresh and delicious! I hate eating the fibrous strings too.

Jenna Lee said...

I love sugar snap peas! This looks delicious! Its a perfect little snack!

http://jennaleelac.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Oh, Mary, I can sympathize on the body retaliating...I tried to amp up my workouts in the morning because I hit a plateau and this week my legs have pretty much screamed at me all week :) But, at least you won't have to feel those pains when you are on vacation, they'll be all worked out by then!!

The sugarsnap peas look lovely. I love ginger and garlic...fantastic little side dish!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Nice to see these bright green snaps as I'm planning a pasta dish for Mother's day with sugarsnap peas! Hope you're feeling better soon - I'm with you - I'm better at the long haul on flat terrain.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful green! Simple and Lovely! I hope you start feeling better. The allergie thing compacts any sort of other stuff going on in the body too - I know the feeling! UGh!

Marmande in the Kitchen said...

This looks like a great way to prepare snap peas - they're so fresh and crisp, I can imagine that ginger would be a perfect complement!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Mary, ginger... What a great idea. Been doing these with garlic just like you recommend for awhile, but never used ginger... I am on this!

Dave

Young Adventures... said...

I love the addition of the ginger and soy Mary. Good luck for your training. I'm sure your body will thank you in the fall. Sounds like a wonderful trip you are planning. Have a lovely weekend!

Jocie's Mom said...

Just keep at it! You'll feel much better after your next workout :) And you're doing a fantastic job of training early! My husband got to Chile and was like 'Hey, let's climb a volcano.' I nearly died. Halfway through I said, forget this and went back to the hotel for a massage and the world's largest cheese platter. I'd like to think I had the better experience.

Lovely recipe, looks delicious!

Tasha said...

I am definitely hanging on to this one- my husband loves both sugarsnap peas and ginger (as do I). And the pairing with quick cooking salmon makes for a healthy yet speedy dinner.

Cooking Creation said...

:( I'm sorry you're not feeling well. This definitely sounds yummy and spirit-boosting. Thanks for sharing :)

kitchen flavours said...

Hi Mary, Hope your aches and pains are fast disappearing now!
This is my favourite way of eating sugarsnap peas, they are really crunchy and sweet! I cooked them this way too, sometimes without the ginger! Have a lovely weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Rachel said...

I'm not sure why I've never prepared sugarsnap peas at home, because we absolutely love them! Your recipe sounds so fresh and delicious!

Hope you start feeling better!!!

Alina---Explora Cuisine said...

Wonderful side dish, ginger must bring a delicious flavor to the snap peas, very interesting combination Mary! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

skoraq cooks said...

Great colour. I adore such beautiful and simple recipes.

Anonymous said...

I love the simplicity of little-fuss veggies. These sugarsnap peas look so bright!

jo@blog-diggidy said...

nom...nom...nom these are a favorite in my house, thnx for a new exciting way to make them!!! :)
blessings...

Ruth said...

Wow Turkey and Morocco sounds amazing! Hope the 'training' goes well. The recipe looks lovely.

David said...

Mary, Just a great looking dish! I love sugar snap peas. With recipes like this, I may even be able to get my wife to eat her vegetables... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Lucy@The Sweet Touch said...

Oh Mary, You make me want to eat my vegetables:) Thanks for sharing, hope you have a great weekend!

Kathy said...

Mary, Thanks for visiting my blog. Love your Peas with ginger and garlic! They look so wonderful! I will be trying them very soon.

Cool Chic Style Fashion said...

Un buon contorno e poi a me l'aglio piace, ciao

nanny said...

Comment disappeared....i'll wait and see if it shows up/ha

Shannon said...

I am always looking for fresh ideas for vegetables. I must try this one!! It looks delicious! Hope you have a great weekend and those aches leave very soon.

We Are Not Martha said...

Yum! So simple, but so delicious :) I love the idea of adding ginger :)

Sues

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

What a fresh looking dish, I can just taste it from here! Great flavors!

teresa said...

i'm usually so boring with my side veggies. this is such a lovely way to make the more tasty!

Joanne said...

These sugar snaps evoke memories of some super fresh peas I had a few years ago that were sweet as candy! The ginger and garlic seem like the perfect compliment!

Rambling Tart said...

Ohhh, I feel your pain, Mary! Now that I can actually move again I'm starting to exercise and ayiyi, the pain that results is amazing. :-) But it will be worth it! I LOVE this recipe, btw. I adore sugar snap peas, but I never eat them cooked. But with ginger and garlic I could happily embrace such a notion. :-)

That Girl said...

Snap peas are sine of my favorite snacks!

So Domesticated said...

Your Sugarsnap Peas look very tasty! I'm always on the lookout for new vegetable dishes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for the lovely comments!

Kelly said...

These look beautiful, so crisp and fresh. I will admit I totally OD'ed on rich food yesterday for Cinqo de Mayo so something fresh and light sounds fantastic.

I hope you feel better!

Kelly said...

These look beautiful, so crisp and fresh. I will admit I totally OD'ed on rich food yesterday for Cinqo de Mayo so something fresh and light sounds fantastic.

I hope you feel better!

Khadija El Mary said...

Love those fresh peas! Have a great day Mary!
Cheers

Allison said...

You make sides look as good as a decadent dessert. I love veggies and you are so creative with them. Thanks for helping me continue to want to eat my veggies.

Cathy said...

I'm hoping to find fresh snap peas at the market tomorrow so I can prepare this very tasty dish. Your salmon dinner sounds delicious, Mary.

Faith said...

I love sugarsnap peas and this is a great way to prepare them -- ginger and garlic are the perfect flavor accents! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Mary!

Choclette said...

Peas look delicious. I'm a great believer in simple. Hope you have a great time away and that those muscles bear up.

Tanna said...

Mary, I so admire your preparing for your trip with such rigorous training. You shame me almost enough to get myself in gear! Almost. These peas sounds scrumptious to me (they are one of my favs in any form or fashion... even raw). blesssings ~ tanna

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

Your trip sounds wonderful! The peas sound great too. I love them plain so I'm sure I'll like this. Happy mothers day

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Sugar snap peas with their vibrant emerald green colour add such a lively appearance to a plate.

Wendy Irene said...

Garlic is my favorite addition to dinners for flavour. I love how you can use it in almost anything. The simple dinners are often the best ones. The vibrant green color is beautiful. You are strong and I know you will triumph over the training you are doing for your trip. Have a wonderful weekend!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh, I hope you take it slowly and stretch, don't hurt yourself. I see the Parker House rolls below, my grandmother used to make them all the time.

Xinmei @ Pudding Pie Lane said...

I remember watching my grandad peel the strings on these when I was little - he was very dedicated! I think these aren't boring, they're perfect for when you're feeling a bit groggy and want to some green food to get you going :)

Swathi said...

Simple but great recipe, looking so fresh.

megi said...

The vibrant green colour of sugar snap peas is so appetizing. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

PeggyR said...

Those sound good. I may have to take some food into Norm! I know he's not on a restricted diet.

Rosario said...

Hola!!! Que buenas recetas, muchas gracias por tu comentario, eres encantadora y tu blog te refleja.
Volveré!!!
Cariños!!!!

Leslie said...

My brian always feels like oatmeal...I believe my kids are slowly stealing it!!!! Love the side dish!

Betty @ scrambled henfruit said...

Sugar snaps are one of my favorite veggies, and my brother's patch of them will be ready soon! I'll have to try them this way. I feel your pain about the stair-climber. I've been spending a lot of time at the gym and I've found muscles I forgot I had. :)

Unknown said...

Hello,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment.
I just came over to your site and it's early in the day and I'm starting to be very very hungry, we just planted peas and these looks so delicious and fresh. Beautifully done.Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

I love the bright green color these peas show off. Simple, yet very impressive.

Mother Rimmy said...

Colorful and fresh. This side dish could go with any meal!

Claudia said...

Great recipe: easy yet tasty. I see you will be coming to Turkey! Whereabouts will you be going? We live in Istanbul but if you need any help/advice, pl don't hesitate to ask!

Unknown said...

So easy and so tasty! Thanks for this recipe - I'll get some from the market tomorrow. I see you are coming to Turkey. We live in Istanbul so if you need any help/advice, pl don't hesitate to ask :))

Julia @ DimpleArts said...

I love sugar snap peas. I just eat them raw, but this sounds like a great recipe.

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