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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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Serving Suggestions

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 with a little water for a few minutes.

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Seasonality

Buying veg in season is not only great for the planet, it can be good for your wallet, too! Seasonal veg are often cheaper and frequently taste better, so can be a better time to try with a child as the often sweeter, riper taste is more enjoyable.

Coming In:

May

At Its Best:

June - September

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Engage

Here are some of our favourite ways to engage kids with peas:

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Your Food

Find your go-to meals in our family favourites section and see what veggies work best with them.

We’ve gathered together 15 of the nation’s favourite meals and given you step-by-step ways to make small improvements, helping you to make healthier dinners the easy way, and even showing you which veg work best with which recipes.
 
Find out how to add more veg to your suppers here.

Recipes

Caribbean Rice

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Potato Cakes

Effort: 2
Complexity: 2
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

Cottage Pie

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Claire Wright

Chilli Quest

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Claire Wright

Creamy Curry & Rainbow Vegetable Rice

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Claire Wright

Jerk Chicken, rice and peas

Effort: 3
Complexity: 2
Cost: 2

Claire Wright

French Peas

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

Mushy Peas

Effort: 1
Complexity: 1
Cost: 1

Claire Wright

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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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Serving

The moments before food is offered can be a perfect opportunity for engagement that can help make it more likely a child will eat it!

The first thing to do is remove the pressure. If the veg doesn’t get eaten, it’s not the end of the world. There will be other days, other dinners, other chances. Fun is key here – try not to worry about mess, perfect table manners, or playing with food. Instead, focus on making the process of getting the food to the plates, readying the table, and the actual eating relaxed.

The best principles for success here are the Three Rs (role modelling, rewarding, re-offering) which you can read about here.

But there is one more way you can serve for success, and that is giving your child a role. You don’t have to do this every time, just encourage them in their strengths through it when you can.

Here are some of our favourite ideas:

Design a menu

Come up with a silly name or story for a dish

Help with making a meal plan and choosing veg for dinners or snacks

Help to serve up the meal on dishes, lay the table or create a centrepiece to be involved in the physical ‘serving up’ process

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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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