Petits Pois à la Française
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: ~30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Country of Origin
France
Description
Petits Pois à la Française (French-style peas) elevates sweet green peas into a decadent, savory experience. The peas are braised gently in a light broth enriched with butter, baby pearl onions, smoky lardons (bacon), and shredded butterhead lettuce. The lettuce melts down, imparting a subtle herbal sweetness and moisture that perfectly balances the rich bacon and butter.
Presentation & How It's Eaten
Served warm in a shallow bowl, spooned alongside roasted poultry, grilled lamb chops, or roasted fish.
Ingredients
500g (3.5 cups) fresh shelled peas (or high-quality frozen sweet peas)
100g (3.5 oz) slab bacon or pancetta, cut into lardons (small matchsticks)
12 baby pearl onions, peeled (or 1 small sweet onion, sliced thin)
1 small head of butterhead (Boston) lettuce, washed and shredded
50g (3.5 tbsp) unsalted butter, divided
150 ml (2/3 cup) chicken or vegetable stock
A pinch of sugar
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
A few sprigs of fresh mint (optional)
Step-by-Step Directions
Render the Bacon: In a large sauté pan or heavy saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Add the bacon lardons and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through, but not hard and crispy.
Sauté the Onions: Add the pearl onions to the pan with the bacon and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until they start to soften and turn translucent.
Add Lettuce and Peas (The Secret): Toss the shredded lettuce and sweet peas into the pan. Stir gently for 1 minute until the lettuce begins to wilt slightly.
Braise Gently: Pour in the stock, add a pinch of sugar, salt, pepper, and a few mint leaves (if using). Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes (only 5 minutes if using frozen peas), until the peas are tender and sweet.
Finish with Cold Butter: Remove the lid and turn off the heat. Stir in the remaining cold butter, tossing gently to emulsify the butter into the cooking juices, creating a glossy, rich glaze. Season to taste and serve immediately.
Optional
Mint Infusion: Whisking in a few finely chopped mint leaves at the end adds a beautiful, refreshing note that pairs wonderfully with sweet peas.
Vegetarian Version: Skip the bacon lardons and use extra butter and vegetable stock to keep the dish entirely vegetarian.
Cooking Tips
Don't Overcook Frozen Peas: If using frozen peas, they only need a few minutes of cooking to heat through. Overcooking them will make them lose their bright green color and sweet snap.
Keep the Lettuce: Do not skip the butterhead lettuce! It may seem unusual, but it melts into a sweet, velvety green component that binds the dish together.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimated per serving)
Calories: ~190 kcal
Total Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: ~360mg
Total Carbohydrates: 12g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Sugars: ~5g
Protein: 6g
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