Pam

Simple Sides: Sesame Garlic Sugar Snap Peas

Unless I’m cooking for a holiday or a special occasion, I’m always looking for simple recipes that come together quickly but are also delicious. Honestly, even if I am cooking for a holiday or a special occasion, it’s good to have some tasty, simple sides to go along with some of the more complicated and time consuming recipes that I might be making.

Enter the Sesame Garlic Sugar Snap Pea. Sugar snap peas are one of my favorite vegetables. When I was very young, the entire back yard at my grandmother’s house was a vegetable garden. When the peas were ready to eat, I’d stand in the garden, popping the peas open and enjoying them still warm from the sun. They’re great raw on a vegetable tray or added to salads, but for a simple, delicious, hot side dish, this is my go to recipe. It takes me more time to trim the peas than it does to cook them, so when I’m in a hurry or have several things on the go, these are often on the menu.

If sugar snap seas aren’t your thing (I don’t understand how they aren’t, but that’s okay), you can use zucchini instead. Just wash, trim, cut in half lengthwise and then slice a couple of zucchini and follow the recipe. I’ve also cleaned out the fridge and done the exact same recipe using a mixture of mushrooms, zucchini and sugar snap peas. All delicious.

Sesame Garlic Sugar Snap Peas

Sugar Snap Peas sauteed in toasted sesame oil, garlic and sesame seeds. A fast, simple and delicious side dish. Serves 6.


Ingredients

  • 18 oz / 510 grams sugar snap peas (5 cups)
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds plus extra for garnish

Directions

  1. Use a paring knife to trim both ends of the snap peas.
  2. In a large, heavy skillet, heat the olive and toasted sesame oils over medium-high heat. Add the snap peas and salt and saute, stirring, for 3-4 minutes or until the peas are just starting to brown.
  3. Add the garlic and saute another 1-2 minutes, until the peas are tender with just a little bite left to them.
  4. Add the toasted sesame seeds and stir through. Taste and check for seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.
  5. Transfer the peas to a serving bowl and sprinkle with extra toasted sesame seeds.

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