Creamy Spring Peas Food

CREAMY SPRING PEAS

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice water. If using fresh English peas, add to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Add the snap peas and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes, then add the snow peas and cook 30 seconds. Drain the peas and plunge into the ice water to cool.
• 2. Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add the flour to the drippings in the skillet and cook, whisking, until toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and cream and cook until reduced by one-third, about 6 minutes.
• 3. Drain the peas, shaking off the excess water, then add to the skillet (if using frozen peas, add them here). Cook, stirring, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the pancetta.

SPRING PEA SOUP

Steps:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the scallions are tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the peas, stock and 1 cup of water. Bring to boil, then simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes to allow the peas to soften further.
• Using a jar blender, carefully puree the soup until smooth (see Cook's Note). Pour the soup back into the pot, then add the sour cream and honey, and gently warm for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Garnish the bottom of each serving bowl with the fresh pea slices and basil leaves. Ladle the soup on top and serve.

CREAMY SPRING PEAS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice water. If using fresh English peas, add to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Add the snap peas and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes, then add the snow peas and cook 30 seconds. Drain the peas and plunge into the ice water to cool.
• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add the flour to the drippings in the skillet and cook, whisking, until toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and cream and cook until reduced by one-third, about 6 minutes.
• Drain the peas, shaking off the excess water, then add to the skillet (if using frozen peas, add them here). Cook, stirring, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the pancetta.
• Photograph courtesy Anna Williams

SPRING PEA FISH CHOWDER

Steps:

• Cut leeks into 1/4" rounds. Rinse, tossing with hands so that leeks separate into individual rings, and drain thoroughly. Transfer to a medium pot. Add oil and toss to coat. Cover pot and cook over medium heat until leeks begin to soften, 5-6 minutes. Add potatoes, 1 tsp. kosher salt, and 1 1/2 tsp. pepper and stir to combine. Add clam juice, bay leaves, and 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until potatoes are fork-tender, 10-12 minutes.
• Season halibut with remaining 1 tsp. kosher salt. Add to pot along with cream and peas and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until halibut is opaque, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
• Divide chowder among bowls. Top with pea shoots, basil, and lemon zest. Season with sea salt and a generous amount of pepper.