Frozen peas are a freezer staple in many British households, but they can be much more versatile than you might think. While fresh peas are often seen as the better option, frozen varieties can retain their natural sweetness and flavour. Getting the best out of them comes down to more than simply boiling them in water, according to an expert.
Gousto’s lead recipe developer, Sophie Nahmad, has shared how to transform peas in just minutes. It involves ditching the saucepan and boiling water for a much better way to cook.
Try cooking frozen peas in a frying pan (Image: Getty)
The expert said: “Rather than boiling peas, try glazing them. Add them to a frying pan with a small knob of butter, a splash of water and a pinch of salt.
“As the water evaporates, the peas become coated in a glossy glaze that boosts flavour and gives them a much more luxurious texture.”
Sophie explained that many restaurants use this trick to get “more flavour” from frozen peas, which can often be sweeter than fresh peas.
The expert added: “People are often shocked when I tell them that frozen peas can be sweeter than fresh. Peas begin converting their natural sugars into starch almost immediately after they’re picked.
“Because frozen peas are usually harvested and frozen within hours, they can retain more sweetness than fresh peas that have spent days being transported, stored and displayed on supermarket shelves.”
What’s more, this hack uses three ingredients most households will already have in their cupboards and fridges.
To help home cooks get more from the freezer staple, Sophie has also shared a few other hacks. This includes roasting frozen peas straight from the freezer.
While this sounds unusual, the expert said roasting them creates a slightly nutty flavour and develops a texture that’s completely different from boiled peas.
However, if you do love a boiled pea, try cooking them in stock instead of water for more flavour. Sophie said: “Peas absorb flavour surprisingly well. Cooking them in a light vegetable stock adds another layer of flavour without any extra effort.”
If you suffer from peas coming out shrivelled or dull after cooking, this isn’t necessarily a problem with the peas themselves. According to the expert, try plunging them straight into cold water after cooking.
Sophie said: “It stops the cooking process instantly and helps keep them plump, bright and sweet.”
For peas that need a little boost, the expert recommended a trick that chefs swear by. It involves adding a tiny pinch of sugar to enhance their natural sweetness.