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Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic, Cumin, and Cilantro

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on February 24, 2011

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic, Cumin, and Cilantro

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 garlic cloves, minced½ teaspoon cumin seed, toasted and lightly crushed½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest plus 1 teaspoon lime juiceSalt and pepper ⅛ teaspoon sugar ¾ pound snow peas, tips pulled off and strings removed1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 teaspoon oil, garlic, cumin, and lime zest in small bowl. Combine ¼ teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and sugar in second small bowl.
  2. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add snow peas, sprinkle with salt mixture, and cook, without stirring, 30 seconds. Stir and continue to cook, without stirring, 30 seconds longer. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until peas are crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
  3. Push peas to sides of skillet; add garlic mixture to clearing and cook, mashing with spatula, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Toss to combine garlic mixture with vegetables. Transfer peas to bowl and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic, Cumin, and Cilantro

Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic, Cumin, and Cilantro

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon cumin seed, toasted and lightly crushed
½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest plus 1 teaspoon lime juice
Salt and pepper
⅛ teaspoon sugar
¾ pound snow peas, tips pulled off and strings removed
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro leaves

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon cumin seed, toasted and lightly crushed
½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest plus 1 teaspoon lime juice
Salt and pepper
⅛ teaspoon sugar
¾ pound snow peas, tips pulled off and strings removed
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro leaves

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon cumin seed, toasted and lightly crushed
½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest plus 1 teaspoon lime juice
Salt and pepper
⅛ teaspoon sugar
¾ pound snow peas, tips pulled off and strings removed
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro leaves

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

For our Sautéed Snow Peas with Garlic, Cumin, and Cilantro recipe, we found that browning the snow peas’ pods after sprinkling them with a bit of sugar bumped up their natural flavor. Our Sautéed Snow Peas got a final flavor punch from cumin, lime juice, and lime zest.

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 teaspoon oil, garlic, cumin, and lime zest in small bowl. Combine ¼ teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and sugar in second small bowl.
  2. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add snow peas, sprinkle with salt mixture, and cook, without stirring, 30 seconds. Stir and continue to cook, without stirring, 30 seconds longer. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until peas are crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes longer.
  3. Push peas to sides of skillet; add garlic mixture to clearing and cook, mashing with spatula, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Toss to combine garlic mixture with vegetables. Transfer peas to bowl and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

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