Peas and Carrots

It doesn’t get much more boring sounding than frozen peas and carrots, however, add some garlic and butter, and now we’re talking.

Frozen Peas and Carrots

You know that whole, vegetables don’t have to be a boring thing? There is so much truth to that statement when it comes to frozen peas and carrots.

Frozen peas and carrots are a super easy vegetable combination that you can have on the table in mere minutes. While I am mainly a fresh vegetable girl, I do try to keep plenty of frozen options on hand for those times when life is busy and I need something easy to grab.

If you’d told me before just how delicious a simple bag of frozen peas and carrots could be, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Carrots and Peas

I tasted these while they were still in the pan and the next thing I knew I’d eaten four more bites before I even took a photo!

Believe it or not there are a few tricks to cooking frozen peas to make them quite delicious. Start with frozen, do not thaw them at all. Just toss them frozen directly into the hot pan.

Don’t boil or overcook your peas. Since they are frozen they have already been blanched. You are simply reheating and adding some herbs and flavor. A fairly quick trip across the heat is all you are doing.

Often when cooking peas a dash of sugar brings out a really nice sweetness. I usually add a teaspoon or so. When making these I skipped the sugar without realizing it and was pleasantly surprised how the sweetness of the carrots filled in for the missing sugar.

Everytime I type peas and carrots I can’t help but think of Tom Hanks and the movie Forest Gump the line, “Jenny and me was like peas and carrots.” It is the scene when he is talking about meeting Jenny and the clip is of them on the bus as kids. It is so sweet.

So for your own peas and carrots you will need just a few things:

• butter 
• yellow onion 
• garlic 
• frozen peas and carrots
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• fresh Italian parsley 

Peas and Carrots Recipe

1. In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and the frozen peas and carrots. Stir to coat and lower heat to medium. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are warm and the peas are puffy and bright green, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the remaining butter and sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to melt. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, as needed. Sprinkle with parsley and top with additional butter, if desired before serving.

Peas do make one of the easiest and fastest side dishes. With just a few ingredients, you have a delicious side dish.

Garlicky with a hint of sweetness, these simple buttered peas are about to become a favorite last-minute side dish for your dinner plans.

Creamed peas and potatoes is a delicious side dish that is wonderfully simple to make. The tender pop of English peas adds a wonderful texture to the softness of baby potatoes in this recipe.

Smooth, creamy, and classic creamed peas cooked in a buttery roux aren’t just for the holidays at grandma’s house.

Creamy homemade ranch dressing coats every bite of pasta and vegetables in this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Sprinkled throughout with bacon, peas, and cheddar cheese, my kids went absolutely nuts over this salad.