Who said that baby gems had to be reserved for salads alone? Braising them is a really delicious way to cook them, and it’s oh-so easy.
Braised baby gems with minted peas make a wonderfully different side dish to accompany an array of meat, fish and veggie dishes. Why not give them a go and serve them with your next Sunday roast? The minted peas make this the perfect fit for a roast leg of lamb but it’s tasty with chicken and beef too. It’s so quick to make too, you can whip it up while the meat is resting. Try and experiment with a variety of different lettuces, such as radicchio, endive or romaine; each bring their own unique flavour profiles to a dish. In BBQ season they’re great charred over coals and braised with a little white wine. Charring the lettuce gives a lovely twist to the classic chicken Caesar salad.
Method
- In a lidded sauté pan, heat the olive oil and butter on a medium heat and fry the shallots until soft.
- Add the baby gem lettuce, face down and cook for a few mins to colour slightly. Gently turn them over – use a light touch as you don’t want them to break up.
- Tip in the peas, stock and mint and cover with the lid. Cook for around 5-7 mins until the peas are cooked and the lettuce is tender. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
- 1tbsp olive oil
- 15g butter
- 2 echalion shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 baby gem lettuce, sliced in half lengthways
- 200ml vegetable stock
- 300g petit pois
- small bunch of mint, chopped
Top Tip for making Braised baby gem with minted peas
This is a great way to use up lettuce that is looking a little limp!
Samuel has a BSc in Food from the University of Birmingham and nearly 16 years after he began his professional food career, his work has featured in national and international publications including Waitrose Food, Australian Delicious, and the LAD Bible Group.
He was also a nutritional consultant for BBC’s Eat Well for Less. Throughout his career he has specialised in recipe writing and has produced many recipes for woman&home. Samuel is also Co-Vice Chair of the Guild of Food Writers and a Trustee of 91 Ways CIC.
-
Chocolate and hazelnut roulade
This chocolate and hazelnut roulade comes with an optional Baileys Irish cream liqueur filling for an extra, festive twist
By Jen Bedloe Published
-
Baileys Cheesecake
This no-bake Baileys cheesecake is so easy to make and perfect for cream liqueur lovers, plus it takes just 40 minutes to prepare
By Jess Meyer Published
-
Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline
Serve this rich Chocolate torte with Baileys cream and salted praline for a festive dessert that makes a popular alternative to Christmas pudding
By Jen Bedloe Published
-
Hosting a dinner party? Gwyneth Paltrow’s chic hexagonal plates are the contemporary touch that will elevate your table
The modern style will give your table setting a chic and sleek update
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Nigella Lawson's famous dinner parties are canceled for the most relatable reason
Nigella Lawson's dinner parties may well be the pinnacle of home dining but the beloved chef and writer says she's not doing them anymore
By Aoife Hanna Published
-
Gabby Logan's delightful mint green dress is a colour that we should all be implementing into our wardrobes this summer
Olympic commentator Gabby Logan looked fabulous in green at the Paris 2024 games
By Molly Smith Published