Today, as usual, Matt Swaim and I had our Thursday morning chat on the Sonrise Morning Show. The subject was peas. I’m growing peas and love them.
PEAS
Beans are mentioned in the Bible, and Biblical scholars believe peas were included, as well, since they are part of the pulse/legume family and were eaten during Bible times.
2 SAMUEL 27:28: They brought him and those who were with him…..serving bowls, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter and cheese.
How did people of Bible times eat peas?
They ate them seasonably fresh and also dried as split peas. The peas of the Bible times were most likely like a broad bean/field pea type of legume, a lot tougher than the peas of today. When they dried them, they used them like lentils and used in soups and stews. Split peas are sometimes an ingredient in Ezekiel bread .
Several varieties
I grow snow peas and sugar snaps.
Snow peas are flatter than common garden peas, and since they are not fully opaque, you can usually see the shadows of the flat peas seeds within the pod. You can eat them without shelling.
Sugar Snap peas, a cross between the garden and snow pea, have plump pods with a crisp, snappy texture. Sometimes you can eat them without shelling, and you might have to string them.
Common garden peas are what you find frozen and canned and sometimes fresh. You have to shell them.
Are frozen peas as good as fresh?
Frozen peas are usually harvested and frozen at the peak of ripeness so they are great.
Any tips on buying fresh peas?
Look for ones whose pods are firm, velvety and smooth. Their color should be a pretty medium green. Don’t buy peas that look puffy and empty inside.
How do you store them?
Keep fresh peas refrigerated since at room temperature their sugar turns to starch.
Peas are good for you.
Fresh green peas are bursting with nutrients like vitamins, minerals and protein. . Plus fresh peas are good for our bones and heart. If you feel tired or have a cold, add peas to your diet. They help the energy producing cells plus they have vitamin C. Both fresh and dried split peas are so good for you.
Tried and true favoriteS of my family – get ready to share the recipe. Perfect for that picnic, as you can make the salad ahead.
DO AHEAD SEVEN LAYER SALAD #1
Ingredients salad
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 head iceberg or Romaine lettuce, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
10 oz. package frozen green peas, thawed or 2 cups fresh peas, cooked
Tomatoes, chopped (optional)
12 oz. shredded Cheddar
1 cup chopped cauliflower
Ingredients dressing
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sugar or to taste
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In a large flat bowl, place chopped lettuce and top with layer of onion, peas, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, cauliflower and about 2/3 of the bacon.
Whisk dressing ingredients together. Drizzle over salad and refrigerate until chilled.
Garnish with rest of bacon.
Whisk dressing ingredients together. Drizzle over salad and refrigerate until chilled.
Garnish with rest of bacon.
DO AHEAD SEVEN-LAYER SALAD #2
Salad: Layer in order given in large glass bowl. I like to sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper after each layer.
1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
6-8 oz spinach, torn into pieces
Salt and pepper
6- 8 hard boiled eggs, chopped or sliced
1 pound bacon, sautéed and crumbled or chopped
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
Generous 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
10 oz or so pkg of frozen peas, partially thawed or equivalent fresh
Dressing:
Mix together
1/2 cup each real mayonnaise and 1/2 cup regular sour cream
Optional: stir in sugar to taste, about a tablespoon
Fresh dill chopped (on top – optional also)
Cover and chill 8-24 hours. To serve, sprinkle the rest of the cheddar and dill on top and either tell guests to dig deep to get a layer of each ingredient or toss gently before serving.
Tips from Rita’s kitchen:
Chopped tomatoes are good in here too.
About Eating 