<< Previous   of   Next >> Los Angeles Times photo by Allen J. Schaben  (click to enlarge) Peas shimmer like tiny emeralds atop a tart with a hint of lemon in the crust.

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Retain flavor, color Blanching peas in water infused with a couple of tablespoons of salt and sugar brings out their flavor and color. Depending on how fresh the peas are, toss them into a pot of water for no more than 3 minutes, or considerably less if you want them al dente. Lift them out and shock them in a bath of ice water to stop the cooking.

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Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com

Pretty peas: Celebrate spring with fresh English variety

By Amy Scattergood
Los Angeles Times

Ephemeral as the early spring that bestows them upon us, English peas arrive like this season's epiphany. They're here for only a few blissful weeks and once the temperature rises, they're gone.

Serene in their emerald pods, the peas nevertheless come with a sense of urgency. They're on a clock from the moment they're picked.

"Heaven," wrote M.F.K. Fisher, "is fresh green garden peas, picked and shelled by my friends, to the sound of a cowbell."

In a city without backyard cows, the heavenly quality of peas depends upon how quickly you can get them home and onto your dinner plate.

Peas benefit from a minimalist's touch. A few minutes of heat is all they need to temper their rawness -- a quick saute in butter or a short dip in boiling water.

Crostini with English pea puree and Greek yogurt

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

5 tablespoons high-quality olive oil, divided

Sea salt

1 tablespoon grated lemon peel (about 1-1/2 big lemons)

16 slices of French baguette, cut 1/2-inch thick on the bias

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 cups shelled English peas

1 small clove of garlic, minced

Thinly sliced fresh mint for garnish

Mix the yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and the lemon peel in a small bowl and set aside.

Brush the bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with a little sea salt. Grill bread over medium-high heat until golden. You can use an indoor grill or toast the bread on the stove in a cast-iron pan or large skillet.

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a pot, adding the sugar and kosher salt. Blanch the peas for about 3 minutes, until bright green and softened, and drain them.

While they're still warm, put the peas in a food processor with the garlic, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Blend until smooth.

Spread about 1 tablespoon of the pea mixture on each slice of grilled bread, spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of yogurt on top and sprinkle a little mint for garnish. Serve.

Makes 16 crostini.

English pea and goat cheese tart

Tart dough

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, chilled and cut into small chunks

Tart filling

6 ounces fresh goat cheese, at room temperature

1/3 cup creme fraiche

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil

2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon

2 tablespoons minced fresh mint

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1-3/4 - 2 cups shelled English peas

To make the tart shell: In a food processor, blend the flour, salt, sugar and lemon zest until combined, then add the butter and pulse until it's the size of small peas. Add 3 tablespoons of ice water and pulse until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic film, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

Once it's chilled, take out the dough and roll into a 12-inch circle. Gently fold the rolled dough into quarters and place in the pan, with the point in the center, then carefully unfold. Fold the edges over and crimp, trimming excess dough. Prick the bottom of the shell with a fork. Put the tart shell in the freezer for 30 minutes while you heat the oven to 425 degrees and make the filling. Place the frozen tart shell in the oven and bake until golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

To make the filling: In a food processor, blend together the goat cheese, creme fraiche, pepper and olive oil. Add the fresh herbs and pulse briefly to combine. Reserve.

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil with the sugar and salt. Blanch the peas for about 3 minutes, then shock them in a bowl of ice water. Drain and reserve.

When the tart shell has cooled, spread the cheese filling evenly over the surface, then cover with a single layer of the blanched peas. Cut the tart into eight slices and serve.

Makes eight servings. Per serving: 297 calories; 8 grams protein; 19 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 22 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 44 mg cholesterol; 123 mg sodium.

Market salad with English peas, prosciutto and goat cheese

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup shelled English peas

4 ounces fresh goat cheese

9 tablespoons high-quality olive oil, divided

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon grated lemon peel (about 1-1/2 big lemons)

Sea salt

1 head romaine, red or green butter lettuce, washed, drained and torn into large pieces

8 slices prosciutto, thinly sliced and shredded lengthwise

Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Bring a 3-quart pot of water to a boil, add salt and sugar and blanch peas briefly, about 1 minute. Remove peas from water with a strainer and shock them in an ice bath. Drain and reserve.

Cut the goat cheese into eight 3/8-inch slices and coat each with about 1 teaspoon olive oil and black pepper to taste. Arrange them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking liner and place in oven for about 5 minutes to soften the cheese.

In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining oil, vinegar, honey, lemon peel and salt and pepper to taste. Add lettuce to the bowl and toss.

Divide salad among four plates. Scatter the prosciutto evenly over each salad, place two slices of warmed goat cheese on top and sprinkle with the 1/4 cup of peas. Serve.

Makes four servings. Each serving: 520 calories; 24 grams protein; 11 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 44 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 64 mg cholesterol; 1,207 mg sodium.