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creamed peas on a serving platter
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Creamed Peas

This Creamed Peas Recipe combines sweet green peas with a rich homemade cream sauce for an easy old-fashioned side dish that's perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, and family meals. Ready in about 20 minutes, it's a simple comfort food classic made with frozen peas, cream, and a touch of nutmeg
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword green peas recipes, vegetarian side dishes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 157kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup shallots, finely minced
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (plus more for thinning if needed) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
  • 6 cups frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • generous pinch nutmeg
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a 12-inch skillet, melt butter (4 tablespoons) over medium heat.
    Step 1 how to make creamed peas, Melt the butter in a skillet.
  • Add shallots (1/4 cup) to melted butter and sauté, until translucent, about 7-9 minutes
    Step 2 how to make creamed peas with milk, Add the shallots and saute.
  • Sprinkle flour (4 tablespoons) over translucent shallots. Whisk mixture constantly until smooth. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove flour taste. Remove the skillet from heat.
    Step 4 how to make creamed peas, Whisk the mixture until smooth.
  • Slowly add milk (1 1/2 cups), whisking constantly, until smooth. Add salt (1 teaspoon), white pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and nutmeg (a generous pinch).
    Step 5 how to make creamed peas with milk, Slowly add milk and wish. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  • Return skillet to medium heat, and continue to cook, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 6-8 minutes. (If mixture hasn't thickened, continue to cook, whisking constantly, until thickened).
  • Stir in thawed peas (6 cups) and heavy cream (1/2 cup) and cook until heated through.
    Step 6 how to make creamed green peas, Stir in thawed peas and heavy cream.

Notes

  1. Frozen Best: Frozen peas are best for this recipe. Canned peas can become mushy. 
    • If you are using frozen peas instead of thawed peas, cook for a few minutes longer until the peas are fully cooked and warm.
  2. Spoon Test: This is the method used to determine whether or not a sauce is thick enough to coat whatever it's covering. It's considered to be the most reliable way to determine if the sauce is done.
  3. Variations: This versatile recipe can accommodate add-ins such as bacon, corn, carrots, mushrooms, or pearl onions. Just add the well-cooked item into the sauce along with the peas.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 213mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 867IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 66mg