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If you are looking for easy ways to jazz up a bag of frozen peas, look no more you have come to the right place!
This easy recipe for this humble frozen vegetable is a great way to enjoy beautiful and gorgeous peas!
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Give Peas A Chance
Please pardon the pun. But...peas deserve pride of place at our dinner tables, especially when they are used in this frozen peas with ham recipe!
The Italian way of preparing this pea recipe is so very easy and utterly delicious. The sweet taste of the peas combined with the salty ham is beyond compare. Add a little cream to the mix and I promise you this dish is heavenly!
This vegetable side dish, using the ubiquitous frozen pea, is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner, or a special occasion.
Peas are also very nutritious! There are numerous health benefits to the humble pea, including protecting your eye and digestive health, as well as your immune system. WebMD has a great article called "Health Benefits of Peas" that you can reference for further details.
What's not to love about peas? And ham! Don't forget about the ham! 😊
So now I'll show you what you will need to make this favolosa (fabulous) Italian Peas and Ham recipe, using a bag of frozen peas!
🥘 Ingredients
This recipe is inspired by and adapted from 365 Easy Italian Recipes by Rick O'Connell.
Here are the ingredients that you will need for this simple recipe:
- Frozen peas
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Onion
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ham (can sub chopped proscuitto or pancetta if you like)
I used petite peas for this pea recipe, but you can use regular green peas or sweet peas.
You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.
So now allow me to show you what I think is the best way to use frozen peas!
🔪 Instructions For This Frozen Peas Recipe
You'll begin by adding butter and olive oil to a large skillet set on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for around 2 minutes until the garlic and onion are softened.
Now add the ham and sauté for 2 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium high, and then add the peas and the chicken broth. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to admire the beautiful vibrant color of the peas!
Lower the heat back to a low simmer, and now add the cream, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. If you feel the dish is too dry, add a little more cream or chicken stock as you like. Taste, and adjust for seasoning by adding an additional pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
And that is it! Your dish is ready to serve!
Suggestions For Serving
Truth be told, I'd be happy to just eat an entire bowl of this dish. However, it is the PERFECT side dish to accompany so many of your favorite main meals.
This dish is so awesome as a side dish paired with main dishes such as Veal Parmigiana or Chicken Scallopini.
However you decide to serve it, I know your family will love this wonderful Italian Peas and Ham!
FAQ
You actually don't need to thaw frozen peas before cooking with them! How easy is that! I typically take out my frozen peas and leave them on the counter while I am prepping the dish. However, you can defrost them if you choose to.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator. This is best consumed within 4 days.
The peas you typically find in the frozen section of your grocery store are English peas.
Absolutely yes! I've used frozen peas as they are typically easier to come by than fresh peas but fresh green peas would work a treat!
Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Here are some other recipes for side dishes that you may enjoy:
- Italian Broccoli Recipe With Garlic and Lemon
- Easy and Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Incredibly Moreish Cajun Smothered Cabbage
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Buon Appetito!
Grace
Italian Peas and Ham Frozen Peas Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb peas select a 1 lb bag of frozen peas and you can defrost them before using but it's not necessary
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- ½ onion chopped
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ ts salt
- ¼ ts pepper
- ½ cup ham diced (can sub chopped prosciutto or pancetta)
Instructions
- Add the butter and olive oil to a skillet set on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and onion. Sauté for around 2 minutes until the garlic and onion are softened.
- Now add the ham and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium high, and then add the peas and the chicken broth. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Lower the heat back to a low simmer, and now add the cream, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. If you feel the dish is too dry, add a little more cream or chicken stock as you like. Taste, and adjust for seasoning by adding an additional pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
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