These gorgeous peas are coming into season here in Sydney. My kitchen garden is not quite extensive enough to have peas growing in it, but I've certainly enjoyed all the herbs and salads it has produced so far. This pea, herb and almond crush is a perfect way to celebrate all the different herbs and fresh kitchen garden produce. Almonds add a lovely crunch to the dish and lime gives it a lovely tang. You could pair this with meat, fish or pasta or have it on a piece of toast like I did the other morning.
Mint loves having its own place to grow in. I'm using a planter made out of recycled rubber.
You can use any herbs you like for this dish. I've used lots of mint, some basil, marjoram and oregano. Chives is also easy to grow and suits so well for salads and pestos.
Pea, herb and almond crush
400g fresh or frozen peas
1 garlic clove
small bunch (5 tablespoons) chives, roughly chopped
1/2 cup blanched, slivered almonds
1/4 water
small pinch of sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
big handful of fresh, mixed herbs (mint, basil, oregano, marjoram)
zest and juice of one lime
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1. Place the peas, garlic clove, chives and almonds in a saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of water and bring to boil. Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the peas are tender.
2. Place the herbs, lime zest and juice along with one tablespoon of olive oil in a food processor. Purée into a fine paste. Add the herb paste into the peas and mash roughly to mix. Serve the crush with fish or pasta or use as a spread on a toast.

the pea picture (1st image) is perfect ! this is a healthy dish :D
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect! I have just what I need to make this including some nice crusty bread to put it on.
ReplyDeleteFabulous salad, it's just made for brown bread. And your herb pot looks very well-tended =)
ReplyDeleteLove your photos...
ReplyDeleteI wish I truly wish I had a garden like that. Looks amazing Maria! Love it
ReplyDeleteThat is such an interesting combination! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Oh what a wonderful garden you are so lucky to have!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photographs. And your herb garden looks and sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteAs for the crush, it sounds wonderful. I am obsessed with peas (this month and last - I've been eating them several times a week) so I'll have to try this soon.
What a gorgeous spread to put atop toast! Throw a slice of cheese on top and I'd dare call it perfection!
ReplyDeleteoh wow! I"m loving all those fresh herbs!
ReplyDeleteI have observed a strange phenomenon -none of my Asian friends like peas. I don't know why. Even for myself, the only type of peas I like are the tiny canned ones from China- they are more mushy and powdery. The fresh crunchy ones always felt too raw to us... but your peas look very small- Remind me of the Chinese ones that I like :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a garden like yours :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I happen to love peas (and your garden, gosh its fab!). This is going into my bookmarks :D
ReplyDelete*kisses* HH
Fresh herbs... nothing like it. This looks so fresh and delicious; beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteYum, this looks so light and refreshing!
ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious. I am loving and bookmarking all of the recent soups and dishes with fresh peas. Your herb markers are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your blog a week or so ago and I just LOVE it! I love all the fresh flavors you include in your dishes and it all looks so delicious! I'm definitely going to have to give this recipe a try: it just screams summer to me!
ReplyDeleteso healthy, green and summery! I can't wait until shell peas arrive at the markets here so I can try this :)
ReplyDeleteI will have to get some more fresh herbs too...peas on toast look yummy!
ReplyDeleteOh your herbs look awesome and I love the idea of the recycled rubber pot!!
ReplyDeletePeas, herbs, green plants, beautiful photography....I love this post!
ReplyDeleteLove the combination of ingredients you have used. Looks lovely and delicious.
ReplyDeleteMy herbs seem to be growing well too. Great idea to make a pesto. I never seem to think of that!
ReplyDeleteYummy! We are going to be at the beach this weekend and I think this would be perfect for a picnic! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteLove you big tub of greens =D. This looks so fresh and delicious!
ReplyDeleteEnsimmäinen kuva on ihastuttava! ja niin on ohjekin.
ReplyDeleteThose fresh herbs looks gorgeous Maria! LOVE the first photo :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking dish and herb garden! I love your label markers for the pots--too cute.
ReplyDeleteOh Maria, I am in love with your photos. I am usually not the biggest pea fan, but in combination with fresh herbs and nuts, I can imagine that it would be just amazing. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI want a herb garden like that...Everything looks wonderful...:)
ReplyDeleteSuch a healthy looking dish .. I love herbs and use them a lot in my cooking :)
ReplyDeleteI can almost taste that beautiful, vibrant dish! Your herbs are lovely!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so fresh and healthy!! I m so J of your garden right now :) This dish look so healthy & delicious..I love nut & pea pairing!!
ReplyDeleteStud would love this dish! He is a fan of anything pea :) I cant wait to grow my own. Well done on another great (and healthy) dish
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that as a child i absolutely detested peas. Nowadays i tend to think the opposite. Your garden is doing so well which is wonderful as well. Any word on the oven yet?
ReplyDeleteLove the vibrant green pictures...just looking at it makes me want to be extra healthy! This recipe looks soooo good and reminds me of when I had creamed peas on toast as a kid. Thanks for the good memories!
ReplyDeleteomg these little herb tags are so cute!! where did u get them?
ReplyDeleteHi! I've just discovered your blog and like it a lot! I think I'll come here often :)
ReplyDeleteI had a laugh with your sentence "Mint loves having its own place to grow in". I have a mint plant in the kitchen and my boyfriend is afraid it will take over the whole house, it grows at an incredible high speed and in all possible directions :)
Ooooh love pea salad, just made it a few days ago, but never thought to make it into a sandwich. I'll have to try that! It looks pretty good!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love your little herb tags. They're so cute!
I'm going to try this recipe. My kid love's peas and i'm think she's going to love this salad. I wish we could have a herb garden like yours.. maybe if we move to a bigger house jejeje
ReplyDeleteLove the photos too, beautiful colors!! And everything looks so fresh
What beautiful herbs Maria :) I am going to have to make some of that it sounds just wonderful with all those fresh herbs, sweet peas and crunchy almonds.
ReplyDeleteI love your stylish garden and the name tag and all. You have very nice artsy talent that I don't have! I truly enjoy just looking at your pictures... like a beautiful magazine! I wish I can eat healthy like you. Then I won't be battling with my weight gain. Gaaarhhhh... >_<
ReplyDeleteI think green-coloured dishes are gorgeous! Your herb garden looks wonderful. I'm hoping to grow some herbs this year too. Hopefully, the results would be as beautiful as yours:)
ReplyDeleteThe consistency of this looks really good, I love fresh peas. In england you could always buy the peas in the pod and shell yourself, i'm looking forward to buying them like that here at the markets.
ReplyDeleteeverytime you do a new post i say this has to be my favorite but then something like this comes along and i am speechless. its just perfect in every way!love the crunch factor with the peas.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of the snow pea - it looks amazing :) you're seriously becoming one of my favourite food photographers ever ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use of fresh from the garden produce! This looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI love your toast topper. This sounds wonderful and it is, of course, gorgeous. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great way to use up fresh peas :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
ReplyDeletei love peas and this is a great recipe to eat lots of it!! :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous darhling.. this makes me want to bake some fresh rustic whole grain bread..
ReplyDeleteThis looks like the perfect lunch!
ReplyDeleteMaria, every time I visit your site I feel at home. Your recipes and photos are always so lovely and inspired. I have two more continents to visit in my life, and when I make it to Australia one day I would love to meet you one day! As for the recipe, I've had a hankering for peas for some reason lately, definitely will give this a go.
ReplyDeleteLove this recipe, Maria! Can't wait to give it a try with fresh herbs from the garden.
ReplyDeleteI've got to try this!!!
ReplyDeleteI love using mint, especially over summer.
What a great blog!!