"Green peas were considered a great delicacy," says Edna Lewis in The Taste of Country Cooking. "If our peas ripened first, they were shared with the neighbors and vice versa." Since garden-fresh peas have become practically impossible to find, we rely on frozen peas for this classic combination. Serve it, as Miss Lewis would, with skillet-cooked chicken and biscuits on an evening in late spring.
Recipe information
Total Time
45 min
Yield
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Bring a large heavy saucepan of salted water (4 teaspoons salt for 2 quarts water) to a rolling boil, then slowly add peas so water maintains a boil. Stir in sugar and cook peas, uncovered, until tender, 5 to 12 minutes, depending on size of peas.
Step 2
Drain peas in a colander.
Step 3
Boil cream in saucepan until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add butter, peas, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and salt to taste and cook over medium heat, stirring, until butter is melted and peas are warmed through. Stir in chervil.
