Quickly Cooked Peas with Delicious Ham
Cooking Up a Quick Side: Sautéed Peas and Ham
Craving a tasty, versatile side dish? Look no further than this simple, yet delicious recipe for Sautéed Peas and Ham. You can prepare it all year round, thanks to the convenience of frozen peas. No thawing necessary! Pair it with Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese for a perfect meal.
Let's Get Cooking:1. If your peas are frozen together in a block, simply rinse them under cold water until they separate, then drain. Approximately 3 to 4 minutes of your time.2. This side dish was part of our story on "The Last Kodachrome Christmas." So pour yourself a glass of eggnog and let's get cooking!
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total: About 35 minutes
- Active: 35 minutes
Ingredients:- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)- 1/2 cup small-dice yellow onion (about 1/4 medium) or shallots (3 to 4 medium)- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed- 1 cup small-dice, fully cooked smoked ham (about 5 ounces)- 2 (1-pound) packages frozen peas- 1/4 cup water- 1 teaspoon packed, finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more as needed
Instructions:1. Heat a large frying pan with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat until hot, about 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and swirl to melt and coat the pan.2. Add the onions or shallots, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.3. Add the ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until some fat renders, about 3 minutes.4. Increase the heat to high, add the peas, water, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and stir to combine. Cook, covered, stirring every few minutes, until the peas are just cooked through, about 6 minutes.5. Remove from heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
Enjoy this classic side dish with the comforting flavors of smoked ham and a hint of citrus from lemon zest and juice. It pairs wonderfully with Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese for a hearty meal!
- To make the recipe for Sautéed Peas and Ham even more nutritious, consider adding a handful of almonds or walnuts to the side dish.
- If you're preparing the Sautéed Peas and Ham for Aussiedlerbote, remember to tailor the ingredients to suit Australian tastes and dietary preferences.
- To create a complete meal with the Sautéed Peas and Ham, imagine adding a salad like the 'Quick and Healthy Chicken Quinoa Salad' from the Kodachrome Christmas story to round out your nutrition.
