Pea purée is a vibrantly green dish that’s loaded with vitamins and minerals. The purée might look a little like baby food, but don’t be fooled–this is a tasty adult side dish that’s enhanced with butter, broth, spices and heavy cream. It’s easy to make and ready in only 20 minutes.
Some people refuse to eat peas or complain when they find a green pea mixed in with their food (me as a kid). Those people don’t realize that the world of vegetables goes well beyond cold canned peas in the supermarket.
Pea Purée Ingredients
- butter
- yellow onions
- chicken broth
- heavy cream
- frozen peas – sweet peas provide the best flavor!
- lemon zest
- extra virgin olive oil – to drizzle over the finished purée. This is optional.
How to Make it
This pea purée takes a simple bag of sweet frozen peas and adds onions, spices, lemon zest and butter for flavor. To further enhance the dish, you’ll add rich heavy cream and savory chicken broth.
The flavors mix together to create a delicious, nutritious purée that’s nothing like the peas you used to eat at elementary school.
- Cook the onions. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and melt the butter in it. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add liquid and peas. Add the broth, cream and peas and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until soft (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Purée. Purée the pea mixture in a blender or food processor. Return to the saucepan and stir in the lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Warm it back up over medium heat, if needed.
- Serve. Transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil (optional) and serve.
Serving Suggestions
When it’s time to serve this purée, the bright green color offers a world of possibilities.
- You can garnish your purée with herbs or add a swirl of olive oil.
- If you love the taste of sweet peas, this recipe makes the perfect side dish for your next dinner party or family dinner.
- You could also use this purée as a sauce or top it with a protein like steak or seafood like scallops or salmon. If you’re using it as a sauce or a garnish on its own, the brilliant green hue brings out the redness of the steak and the bright colors of the vegetables.
- Try it with cheesy pasta or gnocchi to balance out the flavors. Whatever you choose, it’ll help bring your food presentation to fine-dining quality.
Storage Info
This dish is best served immediately, but if you’re planning ahead, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure you heat it up first to bring out all of the delicious, savory flavors in this enticing side dish.
What’s your favorite way to serve peas? Have you turned the picky eaters in your life into vegetable lovers with this pea purée? Let me know in the comments and please share the recipe.
Pea Purée Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onions - chopped
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas - preferably sweet peas
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest
- salt and pepper - to taste
- extra-virgin olive oil - for drizzling on the finished purée (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and melt the butter in it.2 tablespoons butter
- Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.1/2 cup yellow onions
- Add the broth, cream and peas and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until soft (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.1/4 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 ½ cups frozen peas
- Purée the pea mixture in a blender or food processor. Return to the saucepan and stir in the lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Warm it back up over medium heat, if needed.1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest
- Transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil (optional) and serve.
Equipment
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 1 1/4 cups purée.
- This dish is best served immediately, but if you’re planning ahead, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure you reheat it first.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Hungry for dessert? Try our Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
Excellent, ingenious recipe!
I’m glad you think so! Thank you! 🙂