Pea purée can be served with so many foods – poached salmon, grilled rack of lamb, seared scallops – the choices are endless.  While best prepared with fresh spring peas, this recipe is equally delicious made with frozen peas.

Ingredients:

• ½ tsp. salt for the boiling water saucepan
• 3 cups fresh peas, shelled or 2 10-ounce boxes of frozen peas
• 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp. fresh mint leaves
• 1 Tbsp. softened butter
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
• ¼ tsp. each salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan over high heat, cook the peas in salted boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes for fresh and 3 minutes for frozen. Drain and add to a food processor (could mash by hand if need be). Add cheese, mint leaves, butter and shallot.
2. Purée pea mixture, adding the broth a little at a time to loosen the mixture if too thick.  The end result should be a light, runny oatmeal-like-consistency purée.
3. Season with salt and pepper then transfer the mixture to a microwaveable bowl.  Reheat in microwave for 1 minute when ready to serve.

Yields 4 servings.