Petits Pois à La Française - French Style Peas

Ingredients

• 2 ounces butter
• 16 small white pearl onions, chopped (green onions) or 4 spring onions, chopped (green onions)
• 1 small iceberg lettuce, thickly sliced
• 1 teaspoon caster sugar
• 1/4 pint vegetable stock
• 1 lb fresh peas, weight after being podded or frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons creme fraiche
• 2-4 stalks fresh mint

Directions

1. 1

   Gently heat the butter in a large saucepan and add the onions and lettuce. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes until the onions and lettuce soft but not coloured. If the pan gets too hot just add a little vegetable stock.

2. 2

   Pour in the vegetable stock and add the caster sugar, bring to the boil and continue to cook on a fast boil for a further 3 minutes. Taste and season with a salt and black pepper.

3. 3

   Add the fresh or frozen peas to the stock with the onions and lettuce. Cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes for the fresh peas or 5 minutes for the frozen peas - or until they are cooked through, but NOT mushy or too soft; they should still retain their vibrant green colour and have a "bite" to them.

4. 4

   Just before the end of the cooking time - add the creme fraiche and gently mix; allow to heat through for about 1 to 2 minutes. Check the seasoning once more and adjust to taste.

5. 5

   Serve immediately with the sprigs of fresh mint on top.