Petits Pois à La Française - French Style Peas

Total Time: 20 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 ounces butter
• 16 small pearl onions (green onions) or 4 spring onions, chopped (green onions)
• 1 small iceberg lettuce, thickly sliced
• 1 teaspoon caster sugar
• 1/4 pint vegetable stock
• 1 lb fresh peas, weight after being podded or 1 lb frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche
• 2 -4 stalks fresh mint

Recipe

• 1 gently heat the butter in a large saucepan and add the onions and lettuce. cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes until the onions and lettuce soft but not coloured. if the pan gets too hot just add a little vegetable stock.
• 2 pour in the vegetable stock and add the caster sugar, bring to the boil and continue to cook on a fast boil for a further 3 minutes. taste and season with a salt and black pepper.
• 3 add the fresh or frozen peas to the stock with the onions and lettuce. cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes for the fresh peas or 5 minutes for the frozen peas - or until they are cooked through, but not mushy or too soft; they should still retain their vibrant green colour and have a "bite" to them.
• 4 just before the end of the cooking time - add the creme fraiche and gently mix; allow to heat through for about 1 to 2 minutes. check the seasoning once more and adjust to taste.
• 5 serve immediately with the sprigs of fresh mint on top.