Ann Cary Randolphs Peas Recipes

ANN CARY RANDOLPH'S PEAS

Steps:

• If using fresh peas, shell. If using frozen, rinse to defrost and drain well.
• Melt butter in pot large enough to hold the peas and stock. Stir in flour until well blended. Let cook a little. Stir in the stock slowly, and whisk to keep lumps from forming. Stick cloves into peeled onion and add to pot along with peas. Cook peas about 15 minutes at a simmer. (Cook frozen peas about five minutes.) Remove the onion; stir in the sugar.
• Whisk the yolks with the water and briskly whisk in a few few spoons of hot stock. Whisking constantly, pour the yolk mixture into the peas and cook over low heat. Cook just below simmer, stirring. When mixture thickens a little, remove; season with salt and serve. Do not let mixture boil or it will curdle.

POTATOES, ASPARAGUS AND PEAS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes; do not peel. In medium-size saucepan with water to cover, boil potatoes, covered, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on their overall size.
• In a large bowl mix the oil, vinegar and mustard.
• Wash, dry and chop dill; wash, trim and chop scallions; add dill and scallions to bowl.
• Wash and break the asparagus stems at point where the woody part meets the tender part. Cut the asparagus just below the tips; then, cut the rest of the stem into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Break off tough stems from the arugula; discard, and wash remaining arugula thoroughly to get rid of sand.
• About 3 minutes before the potatoes have finished cooking, stir in the asparagus and continue cooking.
• Arrange arugula in flat serving dish.
• One minute before the potatoes are finished cooking, stir in the frozen peas.
• Drain and spoon into bowl with dressing, and mix gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper, and arrange on arugula.

SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Bring water to boil for peas. Trim stem ends of peas (the strings will come off with them).
• Remove fat, and slice prosciutto into very thin strips.
• Cook peas in boiling water for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, depending on their size. Drain, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, saute prosciutto in oil in nonstick pan, stirring to keep pieces separated. Cook about 1 minute, just until prosciutto begins to take on color.
• Stir peas into prosciutto, and season with pepper.