Growing up, peas were always left on my plate when I finished a meal, but now, they are one of my favorite greens. Peas are an easy vegetable to add to almost any dish: soups, pasta, chicken, salads, whatever you like. These little pearls are packed with nutrients and vitamins and are a great, easy addition to your diet.
- Peas contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which help protect your eyes from chronic diseases and deterioration
- Peas are rich in coumestrol which can protect against stomach cancer. They are also rich in fiber which can help gut health and digestion
- If you are looking to build your immune system, peas are the way to go. They have antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Catechin, and Epicatechin
Recipes:
Pea Soup (eatingwell.com)
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 1 stalk Celery, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon chopped Fresh Thyme or Parsley
- 6 cups Peas, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup Water
- 4 cups Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth
- 1/2 cup Half and Half (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Freshly Ground Pepper
- Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until the butter melts. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and thyme (or parsley); cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds.
- Stir in peas. Add water and broth; bring to a lively simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook until very tender, about 1 minute.
- Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Stir in half-and-half (if using), salt and pepper.
Creamed Peas (theseasonedmom.com)
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen Peas, thawed or about 2 cups canned peas
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk, Half and Half, or Heavy Cream
- Cook peas according to package instructions. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk, stirring for 1-2 minutes (or until thickened).
- Pour sauce over warm peas and toss to coat.
Simple Chicken & Pea Skillet (bitesofwellness.com)
- 1.5 pounds Chicken Breast
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 medium Lemon, juiced
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 cups Frozen Peas
- Start by cutting the chicken into bite size pieces. I like to use sharp kitchen shears for this but you could also use a knife and a plastic cutting board.
- Preheat a large skillet (stainless steel or cast iron) over medium high heat.
- Make the marinade by combining the olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt and garlic powder in a bowl. Stir well.
- Pour about 3/4 of the marinade over the chicken and stir well. Reserve the rest of the marinade for the peas.
- Add the Italian chicken to the hot pan, try to get it all in one even layer than don't touch the chicken for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes of cooking, the chicken can be stirred/sautéed in the pan. Continue to cook 3-4 minutes until the chicken is almost done cooking.
- Add the frozen peas and the rest of the marinade to the chicken and cook 2-3 minutes until the peas are defrosted and warmed through.
- Serve hot with your favorite side dish.
