Description
Garlic parmesan sugar snap peas create a delightful side dish that elevates simple vegetables with rich, savory flavors. Crisp snap peas tossed in garlic and parmesan cheese offer a quick and elegant complement to many main courses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) sugar snap peas, fresh, trimmed
- ⅓ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- parsley, fresh, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Peas: Rinse sugar snap peas under cool water, trimming tough ends with kitchen scissors, then pat completely dry to ensure crisp texture.
- Create Flavor Base: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, quickly introducing minced garlic and stirring to release aromatic essence without burning.
- Sauté and Season: Add prepared sugar snap peas to the skillet, generously seasoning with salt and pepper, and sauté while stirring intermittently to develop vibrant green color and tender-crisp consistency.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over hot peas, toss gently, then optionally squeeze fresh lemon juice and garnish with finely chopped parsley.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and present warm for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Prevent Overcooking: Watch snap peas closely during sautéing, aiming for bright green color and crisp texture – overcooking turns them mushy and dull.
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly dry peas before cooking to prevent steaming instead of achieving a golden sauté, ensuring maximum flavor development and crisp exterior.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle Parmesan off direct heat to prevent cheese burning, creating smooth melting and preventing bitter flavor development.
- Flavor Customization: Experiment with additional herbs like thyme or red pepper flakes for personalized taste profile, transforming basic recipe into unique culinary experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 136
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg