Buzz
Snap peas, a delightful fusion of snow peas and garden peas, boast vibrant green hues and conceal tender peas within their pods. With a satisfying crunch and a hint of sweetness, these versatile vegetables can be savored raw or prepared using various culinary techniques. Among the favored methods of cooking are sautéing and steaming, but maintaining their crispiness requires careful attention to cooking time. Dive into the art of cooking snap peas by following Step 1 below.
Steps
Simmering Snap Peas
Begin by rinsing the snap peas under cold water in a colander. Then, gently pat them dry with a paper towel, ensuring they are free from excess moisture.
Examine the snap peas closely. Discard any snap peas with excessive blemishes or trim off the blemished parts, keeping the rest of the snap pea intact.
Position the snap peas on the cutting board. Trim off the ends of each snap pea from both sides.
Prepare a 3-quart (2839 ml) pot and fill it with water. Heat the pot on the stove until the water reaches a boil. Once steam emerges, place the snap peas in a mesh steamer basket and submerge it in the boiling water.
Secure the pot with a lid. Allow the snap peas to cook in the pot on the stove until tender.
Allow 5 minutes to pass. Take the pot off the stove and set it on a cooling rack.
Lift the snap peas out of the pot using the mesh steamer. Transfer them onto a plate, then add a dollop of butter and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Sautéing Snap Peas
Begin by washing and preparing the snap peas. Place them into a medium-sized bowl.
Position a non-stick sauté pan over the stove. Add a few spoonfuls of butter to the pan and set it to medium heat.
Allow the pan to heat up. Once the butter starts to sizzle, add the snap peas to the pan.
Enhance the snap peas with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of pepper while they simmer. Utilize a non-stick utensil to stir the snap peas. Cook them for 1 to 2 minutes until tender.
Withdraw the pan from the heat source. Position the pan on a cooling rack or potholder. Transfer the peas from the pan to a plate.
Pointers
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For added flavor when sautéing snap peas, consider incorporating garlic, onions, or mushrooms to craft a vegetarian stir-fry.
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Instead of butter, you may opt for olive oil when sautéing snap peas, or use both for a more robust flavor. The blend of olive oil and butter yields a richer taste.
Essentials
- Snap peas
- Colander
- Cold water
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- 3 quart (2839 ml) pot
- Netted steamer
- Salt
- Pepper
- Medium bowl
- Non-stick pan
- Butter
- Non-stick utensil
- Potholder or cooling rack
