Steaming Snow Peas: A Quick, Healthy Cooking Method

Snow peas are a delicious and healthy vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. They are known for their sweet and crunchy texture, making them a perfect addition to many dishes. In this article, we will explore how to cook snow peas using the steaming method, a simple and quick way to prepare this tasty treat. Snow peas are an eat-all-pea, meaning you can eat the entire pod and the peas inside. They have a mild, sweetish taste, which goes well with a wide range of flavours.

Trimming the ends and removing the stringy fibres

Firstly, use a small, sharp knife to gently cut into the end tips of the snow peas to trim them. You can snap off the stem end of the pea just before cooking, which will also allow you to get a hold of the string. As you trim the end, you will be able to grab the string that runs along the length of the pod. Simply pull it down to remove the stringy fibre. This process ensures that the snow peas are easier to eat and cook evenly.

The size and age of the snow pea pods will determine the amount of trimming and string removal required. Smaller and younger pods tend to have thinner walls and less fibrous strings. For these pods, pulling the string may only be necessary on one side or not at all. On the other hand, larger pods tend to be more fibrous, so it is crucial to remove the strings effectively.

After trimming the ends and removing the strings, you can optionally halve the snow peas to create uniform pieces for cooking. This step is especially useful for longer pods to ensure even cooking.

By following these steps, you will effectively trim the ends and remove the stringy fibres from snow peas, making them ready for steaming or your preferred method of cooking.

Steaming for 5 minutes

To steam snow peas for five minutes, start by breaking or cutting the stem ends off the peas and removing the strings. You can then rinse the peas. Next, place an inch of water into a saucepan and put a steamer basket over the water, ensuring that the water does not touch the basket. Put the snow peas in the basket, bring the water to a boil, and then cover the pot. After five minutes, the peas should be cooked but still green and crisp.

You can also steam snow peas for five minutes in a skillet. To do this, heat a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, add cooking oil and the trimmed snow pea pods, and let them sear for a few minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid excessive browning. Then, add minced garlic and stir until fragrant. Finally, add a small amount of water to the skillet and let the snow peas steam for 2-3 minutes.

Stir-frying with oil

To stir-fry snow peas in oil, you will need the following ingredients:

• Fresh snow peas
• Cooking oil (peanut, canola, olive, or other cooking oils)
• Garlic (optional)
• Water
• Salt and pepper
• Soy sauce and sesame oil (for drizzling)

First, trim the snow peas by cutting off the stem ends and removing the strings. You can also wash the snow peas. Next, heat a large deep skillet or wok over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and wait until the oil begins to smoke. Put the snow peas in the wok or skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for around 5 minutes. The snow peas are done when they are glossy and bright green with a few seared brown spots. Turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the snow peas to a serving dish. Finally, drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil.

You can also add other ingredients to the stir-fry, such as garlic, ginger, mushrooms, peanuts, or other herbs and spices.

Seasoning with salt and pepper

Seasoning snow peas with salt and pepper is a simple process. Firstly, you will need to prepare the snow peas by trimming the ends and removing the tough string that runs along the length of the pod. You can then cut the pods diagonally to create uniform pieces for cooking, especially if you are dealing with larger pods.

Next, heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add your choice of cooking oil—an olive oil blend works well due to its high burning point, but you can also use peanut oil or flavored oils such as chili or sesame oil. Add the trimmed snow peas and stir to coat them evenly in oil. Let the peas sear for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.

At this point, you can add some minced garlic for extra flavor (optional). Stir the garlic and let it become fragrant for about 30-60 seconds. Now, add a small amount of water to the skillet to create steam. This will cook the pods through and bring out their vibrant color. After about 2-3 minutes, the water should have evaporated, and the pods will be tender and bright green.

Finally, season the snow peas with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other spices or herbs like basil, parsley, or chervil. Stir the snow peas to ensure even seasoning, and then remove the skillet from the heat. Your perfectly seasoned snow peas are now ready to be served!

Serving with butter and lemon

Snow peas are a crunchy and delicious vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked. They are incredibly versatile, pairing well with a wide range of savoury, spicy, and acidic flavours.

This simple recipe for steamed snow peas with butter and lemon is a fantastic way to prepare snow peas, with the butter adding a luxurious mouthfeel and the lemon a bright note.

First, trim the stem ends off the snow peas and remove the strings. Rinse the snow peas well. Next, fill a medium saucepan with about 2 quarts of water and 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the snow peas and let the water return to a boil. Boil the pea pods for 30 to 45 seconds—be careful not to overcook them, or they will lose their crunch. Drain the peas in a colander.

Wipe out the pan, making sure it is dry. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and place it over medium heat. When the butter begins to sizzle, add the drained snow peas. Sauté the pea pods in the butter, stirring, for about 1 minute. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and continue cooking for another minute. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

For an extra nutty crunch, add some sliced toasted almonds. To toast the almonds, put them in a dry skillet and place the skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring and frequently turning, until the almonds are lightly browned. Alternatively, arrange them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan and bake at 350 F for 10 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, or until they are lightly browned.

You can also add some garlic flavour to this dish. To do so, peel a clove of garlic and cut it in half. Sauté the garlic pieces in the butter for 1 minute, then remove and discard. Proceed with the recipe as written.

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