Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Sesame Sugar Snap Peas (A Tasty Pupu/Snack and Alternative to Edamame)


I feel a bit of a cheat as this is probably the most basic Donna Hay recipe I could have picked for the I Heart Cooking Clubs focus on Asian dishes and ingredients this week. I needed something very quick and easy and these crisp, warm Sesame Sugar Snap Peas from Instant Entertaining fit the bill. They take less than 10 minutes to toss together--and that's just boiling the water to steam them with. Easy to pop in the mouth for an pupu (appetizer) or snack and a great alternative to edamame. They would also make a good side dish--perhaps with Donna's yummy Miso-Grilled Salmon that I made last month.    


Sesame Sugar Snap Peas
Adapted from Instant Entertaining by Donna Hay
(Serves 4)

500g (about 1 lb) sugar snap peas, trimmed
2 tsp sesame oil
1/4 cup (2 fl oz) lemon juice
1 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
sea salt (I subbed in 2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce & omitted salt)

Steam the sugar snap peas over boiling water for 1-2 minutes or until tender and bright green. Toss with the sesame oil, lemon juice, sesame seeds and salt (or soy sauce) and serve warm. (As a snack with drinks or as a side dish.) 


Notes/Results: These are crisp and tasty--especially when served warm. Although I liked the lemon and sesame oil mix, I did feel that it cried out for a touch of soy sauce to balance the acidity of the lemon. I replaced the salt with low-sodium tamari (gluten-free soy sauce alternative) and was happy with the taste. Fast to make, a nice pop of color on the plate and good flavor--I will make these again. 


Get your Passport to Asia and check out all the fabulous dishes the I Heart Cooking Clubs participants made by going to the post and checking out the picture links.  
 

11 comments:

  1. Wow..really quick and crisp

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  2. I think we could all use some healthy snack inspiration, and the easier the better! Love these!

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  3. I am making these tonight. I just needed a side veggie and this one is calling me!

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  4. Such a vibrant and refreshing dish of greens! This would be perfect with rice too!

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  5. Such pretty colour! I think this would be a wonderful side for many mains, particularly miso salmon as you mention. The combination of lemon juice and sesame oil is new for me - I'll have to try that.

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  6. What a great snack to have on game day in place of chips and dips!

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  7. such a great side dish - the flavor of sesame is amazing - I make something similar to this all the time except I use snow peas which are softer so I can just eat them raw with this simple dressing - it's a healthy snack since I am one of the few people who does not go gaga for edamame

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  8. I am crazy about sugar snap peas and could easily see myself eating these as a snack or a side dish. These are really bright and colorful, Deb! Great choice for a quickie :)

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  9. Simple and wonderful. Just my kind of food. Love the color of your peas.

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  10. Couscous & ConsciousnessFebruary 3, 2014 at 7:39 AM

    Deb, these look so gorgeously crisp and delicious I literally wanted to reach into the computer screen and grab a handful. This is a great idea for a nibble to have with drinks - I can't wait to have a few friends over and dish this up.

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