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Peas

It is estimated that the average Brit eats a whopping 9,000 peas a year! This is for good reason: they are very cheap, most kids love them, and they are super easy to prep (if using frozen or pre-podded fresh anyway!). Adding a handful or two of peas per person to pretty much any meal is such an easy way to add a portion or two of veg to supper, or pop a mug or two of frozen peas into a microwave-safe bowl, and with 2 mins in the microwave, a pinch of salt and/or pepper and a spoonful of butter or oil, you have a yummy side! Stir through some chopped mint or cooked bacon, too, if you are feeling fancy.
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Have you heard the famous story of the princess and the pea?

Once upon a time a handsome prince is looking for a princess to marry, but he cannot find one that he loves. One dark and stormy night a young woman, soaked by the rain, knocks on the castle door.  The prince answers the door and is immediately smitten by her beauty. She claims to be a princess, but the prince’s mother – the Queen – is not so sure. So that night she sets out a bed for the young woman with twenty soft mattresses stacked one on top of another, and beneath the bottom mattress she places a single pea. The next morning the young woman tells her host that she endured a sleepless night, kept awake by something hard in the bed. “Rejoice,” said the Queen, “for she is truly a princess” and the prince and princess get married, and live happily ever after. The End.

 

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Nutrition

These small peas pack a punch as they’re rich in thiamine, this is a B-vitamin that supports heart function. Peas are also a great alternative to get your vitamin C in, plus they’re high in fibre to keep you fuller for longer.

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Shopping Guide

Look for pods that are full and perky with dry stems as this can indicate the freshness. Limp pods can be slightly bitter. Frozen peas can be found in most local supermarkets all year round. 

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Storage

Fresh peas are stored dry in an airtight bag or container in the fridge for up to a week. Frozen peas are a household staple to keep in the freezer for those last minute dinners.

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Preparation

To prep fresh peas, tear open the pods and scoop the peas out. For frozen, just heat through until piping hot! You can simply boil them or microwave for a few minutes.

Kids in the Kitchen

For a younger child, why not get them pushing the microwave buttons to cook the peas, or mixing a little butter or oil through before serving.

For an older child, it could be a great opportunity to give them ownership of a side dish – could they make buttery peas from start to finish by pouring frozen peas into a microwaveable bowl, microwaving until cooked and stirring through butter and some salt and pepper while you are making dinner?

Find more ideas for involving kids in the kitchen here.

Sensory

Get a handful of frozen peas and let your child explore them through touch, feeling how cold it is fresh out of the freezer, then how it warms up in their hands. See if the feel reminds them of anything. Perhaps it feels like tiny pebbles or necklace beads? Encourage their creativity and imagination and see if cooking a few and offering them warm and cooked changes their mind about how they look and feel.

Watch our video from Ruth Platt for a visual guide to exploring peas with your senses here. Find more sensory ideas, tips and videos here. If you get stuck and need a little help with describing words, we have a selection for you here, too!

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Serving

Next time you make a meal with peas, try to get your kids involved in small ways wherever you can – maybe they can be in charge of the peas (measuring, microwaving, stirring through butter, etc) and when serving it up, why not let your child help you plate it and see if they can come up with a funny name for the dish.

Find the best ways of involving your own child and their skills and interests on our Roles for Kids page.

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Activities

Why not try making a cut-out and colour pea pod or veg crown?

Or grab some of our free games & puzzles with peas like our Boxing Peas game, Escapeas or a Pea-doku puzzle?

Kids more interested in science? Try Stefan Gates’ videos for veg-focused home experiments here.

Find loads more free pea-themed crafts here and games here.

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Seasonality

Buying veg in season is not only great for the planet, it can be good for your wallet, too! Try buying fresh peas in summer for the greatest deals and best flavour, or enjoy frozen peas year-round.

Coming In:

May

At Its Best:

June - September

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Your Food

Peas are sweet and creamy, so if your child has those preferences, it could be a great place to start! They can easily just be microwaved and served as a simple side, perhaps with a little butter and seasoning for extra flavour, but why not try some of these for more inspiration…

Family Favourites

Mac ‘N’ Cheese

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Everyday Curry

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Sausage and Mash

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Jacket Potato with Toppings

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Jollof Rice

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Pasta Bake

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Roast

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Shepherd’s Pie

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Family Favourites

Simple Sides & Soups

Niki’s Warm Asparagus, Roast New Potato and Pea Salad

Effort: 2
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Niki Webster

Elaine’s Mean Green Souper Machine

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Elaine Mason

Alexia’s Minted Pea & Watercress Soup

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Alexia Robinson

French Peas

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

Mushy Peas

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

Minty Peas

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

More Recipes

Chilli Quest

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Claire Wright

Happy Scraps Frittata

Effort: 2
Complexity: 2
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

Hedi’s Peanut Butter Satay Noodle Stir-Fry

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 2

Hedi Fountain

Jenny’s Pod-Powered Guacamole

Effort: 2
Complexity: 1
Cost: 2

Jenny Chandler

Mean ‘n’ Green Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Effort: 2
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Andrew Walker

Pea Poppin’ Risott-Ohhh

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Andrew Walker

Henry & Ian’s Quick Mezze Platter

Effort: 3
Complexity: 3
Cost: 3

Henry Firth & Ian Theasby (Bosh!)

Rachel’s Green Baked Eggs with Leeks and Peas

Effort: 2
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Rachel Green

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If You Like Peas…Try

Does your child enjoy peas? That’s great! Peas are usually mild and creamy, so why not try a similar texture and/or taste…

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The Wonderful World of Veg

Check out our vegepedia. When to buy in-season. How to store them to keep for longer. How to engage children with each veg, and simple ideas of how to prepare and cook them for maximum taste and minimum waste. Select a veg…

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