Griddled Lettuce Peas Food

BRAISED LETTUCE WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large sauté pan with a lid. Fry the onion gently for about 5 mins, until softened. Meanwhile, pull any damaged or coarse outer leaves from the lettuces and trim the bases. Cut the lettuces in half lengthways, through the base.
• Place the lettuce cut-side up on top of the onions and cook for half a minute, then turn over and cook for another 30 secs. Pour over the stock and lightly season. Put the lid on the pan, reduce the heat to the minimum and cook for 10 mins.
• With a slotted spoon, lift the lettuces out and put into a sieve over a bowl. Raise the heat under the pan and boil the juices until reduced by half. Add the cream or crème fraîche and petits pois and boil for 1 min until heated through. Arrange lettuces in a serving dish and pour over the pea-and-cream sauce.

ENGLISH PEAS WITH GRILLED LITTLE GEMS, GREEN GARLIC AND MINT

Steps:

• Prepare a wood or charcoal grill for direct-heat grilling, or use a grill pan on top of the stove. Trim the tops of the green garlic where the leaves begin to branch out. Peel an outside layer of the stalks and slice thinly on the bias. Or very thinly slice the garlic cloves. Set aside.
• Cut the lettuce in quarters lengthwise and brush all over with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place the lettuce cut-side down on the grill and cook until it has darkish grill marks, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip lettuce quarters to the other cut side and grill for another couple of minutes, then grill on the leafy side briefly. Remove from grill when done.
• Heat 1 cup water, a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over high heat. When the liquid is at a roaring boil, add the peas and garlic and cook, tasting often for seasoning and adding more water as needed, 3 to 8 minutes, or until the peas are just tender. Add the mint leaves and cook 1 minute. The goal is to have just enough water at the end of the cooking time to emulsify with the oil and thicken slightly.
• To serve, spread the lettuce on a platter and pour the peas and their minty, garlicky juices over it. Serve with grilled chicken, roast duck or by itself.

GRIDDLED LETTUCE & PEAS

Steps:

• To make a dressing, mix the vinegar, 2 tsp of the oil, the garlic and herbs in a small bowl. Heat a griddle pan. Brush the lettuces in the remaining oil and cook on the griddle for 3 mins each side until charred. Bring a small pan of water to the boil, add the peas and cook for 3 mins. Drain the peas and mix with the lettuce and dressing. Serve straight away.