I could lie and say this post is for St Patrick’s day but it’s not; my only St Patrick’s day associations are traffic and vomit (nice I know) from the parade. This year, as I do every year, I steered clear. My book, which now has a title! is getting turned in and I skipped going to Vermont to edit and edit some more. The extent of my cooking this weekend was smoothies, socca (my current favorite carb) and steaming vegetables. Last night I made one of my favorite “just me” concoctions. I heated a small cast iron pan, added some coconut oil. Tossed on leftover vegetables, mushrooms and asparagus and added an ingredient that doesn’t get nearly enough love…frozen peas. I scrambled the veggies with a couple of eggs and sprinkled it with a little Himalayan salt. Delicious and not something I could serve the whole family.
As I added the peas (after brief nuking) I wondered why peas are dismissed, especially frozen peas. It may be the association with mushy, canned peas or the assumption that peas are nutritionally average but please don’t prejudge. My Cascadian Farm peas have 6 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein and a mere 100ish calories per cup. Peas also contain phytonutrients called saponins that have anti-inflammatory properties. And they’re pretty too.
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| Didn’t post photo at the top to ruin the ingredient surprise, sneaky. |
I’ve praised peas before in this Blisstree article.
We use peas with pesto in gluten free pasta, in a great side dish with shallots and spinach (you can absolutely “Ina-size” this cutting the added fat and it’ll be just as good). I will never forget a pea and mint smoothie that greeted us when we finished a hike at Blackberry Farm.
And let’s not forget the world’s best ice pack.
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| Unknown runner’s leg, “frozen pea icepack” turned up many post plastic surgery photos, |
People are starting to appreciate peas or actually they’re extorting peas for their protein. Larabar has a new offering called Alt with pea protein and Sunwarrior’s Warrior Blend protein powder uses peas in the “blend”. Chances are you have some peas in your freezer now that you had forgotten about, go show them some love.
And this book I’ve been annoyingly mentioning? It’s called
The Little Book of Thin
Foodtrainers’ Plan-It-to-Lose-It Solutions for Every Diet Dilemma
Slated for January 2014, promise me someone will buy it.
Are you pro pea? What do you use them for? What do you feel is the most underestimated food?
