Fresh Peas With Lettuce And Green Garlic Recipes

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the peas, lettuce hearts, bouquet garni, salt, sugar and water. Simmer with the lid on for 40 minutes. Remove the lettuce and strain the peas, reserving the liquid. The amount of liquid should be very little but reduce it to about 2 tablespoonfuls, whisk in the cream and pour over peas. Cut lettuce hearts into quarters and place on the peas.

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.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over high heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion has softened. Add stock. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium. Add peas. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until heated through. Stir in lettuce. Serve.
• Variation: Add 1 tablespoon shredded fresh mint leaves with lettuce.