If you’ve been serving peas with your Sunday roast, you may not have realised you’re currently on trend.
The freezer-drawer favourite has moved from side dish to the centre of the plate, with wellness creators online championing it as a budget-friendly source of protein and fibre.
Among the most viral recipes online is a pea salad from reality TV star and Pilates instructor Raven Ross . It involves tossing together warmed frozen peas with grated Parmesan, lemon, olive oil and shredded chicken as a quick lunch or snack. Her video has already racked up 1.7 million views .
Some are even calling peas the new ‘girl kibble’, which is online slang for an easy, dependable meal that can be eaten on repeat.
“We’ve seen a huge interest in protein and a huge interest in fibre, and peas are a really good source of both,” says nutritionist and cookbook author Sarah Pound .
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“Half a cup of peas has around 4g of protein and fibre, and can be a great way to increase your intake throughout the day,” she says. Peas also pack in other nutrients, including folate, iron and vitamin C.
Part of the appeal of the small, podded veg is just how cheap and versatile they are, says Pound. “What I love most is that they can just be a packet in your freezer.” Frozen peas are nutritionally on par with fresh ones, she adds.
Beyond the viral salad, there are plenty of easy-peasy ways to work them into your meals.
“Anytime you’re making a pasta or risotto, you can add a cup of frozen peas at the end, they only need a little heat to cook through,” Pound says. “Fried rice is another one, as well as stir-fries, curries, even a frittata.”
Salads are also a natural fit, even if peas don’t always spring to mind. “They’re great with other spring veg like asparagus, beans or snow peas, but also with feta, mint, lemon and olive oil – all of those fresh flavours.”
You can also have them on toast. “All you need is sourdough spread with ricotta or cottage cheese... then squish the peas over the top. It’s so simple.”
Grab a bag of peas and try these two recipes at home.
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