Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (2024)

(updated March 18, 2017) // by Phoebe Lapine // 15 comments

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I’m one of the few weirdos who thinks that British pub food is a cuisine to be sought out and cherished. That’s partially because a good portion of the menu takes a bath in a deep fryer before ending up in front of you. But my love can also be blamed on the peas.

Mushy peas as a national delicacy could use a little rebranding. It sounds like something you’d find in a prison cafeteria. And most of the time, due to the quest for mushiness, it ends up looking like something you’d find there as well. But even in it’s most unappealing overcooked form, mushy peas are delicious.

I don’t think I ever ate mushy peas as a child, but eating them now makes me feel like one. You don’t need molars in order to enjoy them, but due to the texture (or lack there of) I prefer using the peas as a condiment to slather on fish and chips. So toast, another childhood standby, seemed as good an option as any to carry a mound of green, mushy goodness.

Pub peas are best when fluffed up with a bit of butter. But since this dish came out of my kitchen I kept it healthier with some oil and very little else. When you buy good organic sweet peas (even frozen ones will do), you don’t need many embellishments. And if you cook them just right, they stay that vibrant green even after you mush them.

Sweet pea crostini is one of my favorite recipes from my cookbook. This version is even more simplified – mainly just peas and gluten-free toast. But I added a little hit of mint to up the freshness factor in hopes that this dish would never be mistaken for something you’d find in a nursing home again.

Eat up!

Xo
Phoebe

Mushy Pea Toasts with Mint

The best accompaniment to a fish and chips recipe is a bowl of mushy peas. I've taken to eating this Irish English staple on toast with fresh mint. It's a great Easter recipe or spring appetizer for any occasion.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Phoebe Lapine

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small sweet onion diced
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • 16 ounces peas fresh or frozen
  • ¼ cup tightly packed mint leaves plus more for garnish, thinly sliced
  • 8 slices white bread or 1 baguette, thinly sliced (I used gluten-free Udi's)

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler.

  • In a medium lidded pot or saucepan heat the oil oil. Saute the onion over medium heat until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, and chili flakes. Cook one more minute, until fragrant. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the peas and mint; cover, and cook until vibrant green and tender, about 5 minutes for frozen, 2 minutes for fresh. Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion or stand blender until coarse (you don't want it completely smooth). Taste for seasoning and add more salt as necessary. Pea mixture can be made up to 3 days in advance.

  • When ready to eat, arrange the bread on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler until golden brown on both sides. Slather each piece with the pea mixture. Garish with additional mint, a drizzle of olive oil, and some freshly grated pecorino (optional).

Notes

I used Udi's Gluten-Free bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 8g

Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (10)If you make this, tag @phoebelapine and #feedmephoebe - I'd love to see it!

Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (11)

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Comments

  1. Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (12)Skye says

    I LOVE mushy peas – but had never thought to eat them on toast. Inspired idea.

    Reply

    • Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (13)Phoebe Lapine says

      Thanks Skye!

      Reply

  2. Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (14)DessertForTwo says

    Why haven’t I made this from your book yet? Fixing that soon 🙂

    Reply

    • Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (15)Phoebe Lapine says

      you’re cute 🙂 thanks lady.

      Reply

  3. Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (16)Steph says

    Mmmm I love me some mushy peas! The addition of mint here makes them look extra green and delicious…can’t wait to try them!

    Reply

    • Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (17)Phoebe Lapine says

      enjoy miss steph! xxx

      Reply

  4. Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (18)Clean Cook Lily says

    My husband loves mushy peas on toast, but I’m afraid I’m yet to share his enthusiasm. Maybe, just maybe, this is because he uses what he calls ‘working class’ bread (stodgy, white, cheap) and tinned peas. Pronounced ‘pays’ in a Black Country accent by the way! This version looks very appealing and maybe I ought to give it a go to see what I am missing. Plus it’s vegan and it contains wine 😉

    Reply

    • Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (19)Phoebe Lapine says

      Oh Lily! I would hate mushy peas too if they fit that description! Pays from a tin – ick! Definitely try with the frozen ones. Curious to hear what you think 🙂

      Reply

Mushy Peas on Toast with Mint | Irish Food Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the additive in mushy peas? ›

Mushy peas are dried marrowfat peas which are first soaked overnight in water with baking soda, and then rinsed in fresh water, after which the peas are gathered in a saucepan, covered with water, and brought to a boil, and then simmered until the peas are softened. The mush is seasoned with salt and pepper.

What does mushy peas mean in British? ›

mushy peas in British English

(ˈmʌʃɪ piːz ) plural noun. British. dried peas that have been soaked, boiled and mashed - often eaten with fish and chips. Collins English Dictionary.

How healthy are mushy peas? ›

Being rich in fibre, peas support digestive health and the fibre they provide fuels the beneficial gut microbes which play a pivotal role in our health. Much of the fibre content is soluble, which may alleviate constipation.

How do you make Jamie Oliver mushy peas? ›

Meanwhile, for mushy peas, melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add fresh peas and tarragon, and cook, covered, for 10 minutes (3 minutes for frozen) or until soft. Add lemon juice and season. Mash until mushy.

What are the side effects of mushy peas? ›

They may cause bloating

Like other legumes, green peas have been reported to cause bloating, an uncomfortable swelling of the stomach often accompanied by gas and flatulence. These effects may occur for a few reasons, one of them being the content of FODMAPs — fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols.

Are mushy peas a laxative? ›

Raw Peas are also used as an appetizer which helps provide relief from constipation by promoting bowel movements due to its laxative property. It also helps manage the level of blood sugar due to its anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties and thus reduce the risk of diabetic complications.

Can you buy mushy peas in America? ›

Amazon.com : Batchelors Mushy Peas, 10.6-Ounce Cans (Pack of 8) : Peas Produce : Grocery & Gourmet Food.

What country eats mushy peas? ›

Mushy peas is a quintessential British dish of marrowfat peas that are simmered until they fall apart, literally into a mush. They are a traditional accompaniment to British fish and chips.

Are mushy peas anti inflammatory? ›

Peas are a good source of vitamins C and E, zinc, and other antioxidants that strengthen your immune system. Other nutrients, such as vitamins A and B and coumestrol, help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Are mushy peas bad for cholesterol? ›

Pulses are high in vegetable protein and fibre. They lower blood cholesterol in a number of ways. The soluble and insoluble fibres assist with lowering cholesterol absorption in the gut, while they promote growth of beneficial gut bacteria in the large bowel.

How long can you keep mushy peas in the fridge? ›

To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in a pot/pan over a low heat until piping hot or in the microwave. To Freeze: Freeze for up to three months in an airtight container in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge and then heat in a pot/pan over low heat or in the microwave.

What is another name for mushy peas? ›

Mushy peas, also known as 'Yorkshire caviar', are dried marrow fat peas, mature green peas that are allowed to dry out naturally in the field.

Do Scots eat mushy peas? ›

Mushy Peas

However, we soon realized they are served as a side to so many dishes and can be found at nearly all restaurants and food shops in Scotland, so we had to give them a try.

What's the point of mushy peas? ›

No, I'm not going suggest that you use fresh peas as so many recipes do, the whole point of mushy peas is the fabulous texture, flavour and nutritional value of the dried pea. A little veg goes a very long way when it comes to greening up your peas, so, if you're not a spinach lover please do still give this a chance.

What makes mushy peas mushy? ›

They are different from young garden peas because they contain a high proportion of starch, giving them their signature texture. Baking soda added to the simmering peas causes them to explode and create the desired mush.

What tablet do you put in mushy peas? ›

The steeping tablet is sodium bicarbonate which helps soften the peas during soaking.

Why do you put bicarbonate of soda in mushy peas? ›

A teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda can be added to the peas whilst soaking or cooking (to speed up the softening process), but you can still achieve that perfect creamy texture with nothing but water - unless your water is especially hard.

What are the white bits in mushy peas? ›

Very likely the embryo of the peas! Each side of the pea is an endosperm, like the white of an egg.

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