GOOD LIFE Living Well: Peas & Ham..also local Farmers Market,

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Peas & Ham..also local Farmers Market,

I went to the local Farmers Market here in Sta Monica, CA and saw that they have fresh green peas, here they are called English Peas, in England they are just called peas..lol
and it reminded me of the time I worked for Mr. Tommy Steele and family at their Regency House in Ham, Surrey.

It was in the 80's and they were filming "When the Mirror Crack'd" with Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor, along the Thames close to the house.
Ofcourse the stars of the movie were invited to Sunday dinner..roast lamb with all the fixings ( including own made mint sauce & and something I learned in South of France from Sir Donald Gosling who had this in the Royal Navy, sliced onions in malt vinegar with brown sugar..honestly it is great) and fresh peas, cooked with mint., roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, and dessert/cheese & biscuits.

Instead of getting the afternoon off on that Sunday I had to do all my prep and table laying (another of those multi-task personal chef positions where I also served the food) so I could shell my peas just before dinner!
Unfortunately only Rock turned up Liz had other plans..but the dinner was a success and everyone was happy

Fresh peas are wonderful but in my mind not worth the hassle of shelling ( an olde English way to shell peas is to continue to whistle that way the cook could tell you weren't eating them)..here in the States some market stall holders do the shelling for you but then the peas are tough..so if you want nice and tender fresh peas you just have to grit your teeth and shell them before cooking..literally just before plunging into boiling lightly salted water with some fresh garden mint, not peppermint, and cook for just 3-5mins, drain and top with butter and some fresh mint and serve immediately..do not add sugar or lots of salt and never pepper..fresh peas are too delicately flavored.

I much prefer my fresh peas done the French way with pearl onions ( cook these in butter and a bit of water we are talking tbsp water), when almost cooked add the fresh peas, and some chopped butter lettuce ( Bib Lettuce...don't use Rocket salad as it is too strong flavored), cook quickly uncovered to evaporate the water , finish with fresh cream and serve..delicious

Choose peas that have nice green crisp pods..they should pop when you open them.
If they look stretched across with the peas inside showing on their skins..they are too old to serve as a veggie...these are good for freezing for putting in stews and soups.
Here are my photos from this morning's escapade..today is the first weekend in ages that is has been warm and sunny ( Mid 80f's now)