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Peas and Carrots

By Diane Unger

Published on January 4, 2016

Time

35 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Peas and Carrots

Ingredients

3 carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into ½-inch piecesSalt and pepper 4 cups frozen peas, thawed½ cup water 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces2 shallots, minced2 teaspoons minced fresh chives, mint, or tarragon

Before You Begin

For a smooth puree, make sure the peas have thawed completely. A variety of fresh herbs will work here; choose your favorite from the listed options.

Instructions

  1. Combine carrots and 1/2 teaspoon salt in bowl. Process 1 cup peas, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in blender until smooth, about 1 minute; set aside.
  2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and carrots. Cover and cook until carrots are just softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add remaining 3 cups peas and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until peas are heated through, 2 to 4 minutes.
  3. Stir in pea puree and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, bring to simmer, and cook, uncovered, until sauce has thickened, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in remaining 4 tablespoons butter until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chives and serve.
Peas and Carrots

Peas and Carrots

Headshot of Diane Unger
By Diane Unger
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Time

35 minutes

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

3 carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into ½-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
4 cups frozen peas, thawed
½ cup water
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
2 shallots, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh chives, mint, or tarragon

Ingredients

3 carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into ½-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
4 cups frozen peas, thawed
½ cup water
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
2 shallots, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh chives, mint, or tarragon

Ingredients

3 carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into ½-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
4 cups frozen peas, thawed
½ cup water
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
2 shallots, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh chives, mint, or tarragon

Why This Recipe Works

Peas and carrots cook at much different rates, so for the best version of this oft-frozen side dish, we had to find a way to cook the two in stages so as not to lose their individual characteristics. We started by cooking the carrots just long enough to soften them before adding the peas. To unlock the delicate, sweet flavor of the peas, we pureed 1 cup of them with some water and stirred the mixture into the pan right before the end of cooking (along with some butter and fresh herbs). This both united the two disparate vegetables and coated them with flavor.

Before You Begin

For a smooth puree, make sure the peas have thawed completely. A variety of fresh herbs will work here; choose your favorite from the listed options.

Instructions

  1. Combine carrots and 1/2 teaspoon salt in bowl. Process 1 cup peas, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in blender until smooth, about 1 minute; set aside.
  2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and carrots. Cover and cook until carrots are just softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add remaining 3 cups peas and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until peas are heated through, 2 to 4 minutes.
  3. Stir in pea puree and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, bring to simmer, and cook, uncovered, until sauce has thickened, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in remaining 4 tablespoons butter until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

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