Description
Creamed Peas Made Easy is a comforting, creamy side dish that combines sweet frozen peas with a velvety buttery sauce. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick 15-minute preparation, this recipe delivers a nostalgic and delicious vegetable dish perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 bag Frozen peas (approximately 12 oz)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the peas: Place the frozen peas in a colander and rinse under cold water to slightly thaw them. This helps reduce cooking time and ensures even cooking.
- Melt the butter: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it foams but does not brown. This provides the rich base for the sauce.
- Make the roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour into the melted butter, whisking constantly to combine. Cook the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until it bubbles lightly without browning to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add milk and season: Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in salt, pepper, and sugar to the mixture. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine peas and sauce: Add the thawed peas to the creamy sauce, stirring gently to coat and warm through for another 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired.
- Serve warm: Remove from heat and serve the creamed peas immediately as a comforting side dish that pairs well with roasted meats or hearty mains.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and use non-dairy milk such as almond or oat milk.
- Use gluten-free flour to make the sauce suitable for gluten intolerances.
- If you prefer a less sweet creamed pea dish, omit the sugar or reduce to half a teaspoon.
- Frozen peas can be replaced with fresh peas in season for enhanced sweetness and texture.
- To add extra flavor, stir in freshly chopped herbs like parsley or thyme at the end of cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated on the stovetop.
