This recipe for Greek Peas comes from the best authority I know on delicious, authentic Greek cooking - sisters Helen and Billie. These lively bloggers over at the popular site Mia Kouppa are daughters of Greek immigrants to Quebec. Their parents share a humble and beautiful love story, which warmed and nourished my soul in Episode 033. Helen and Billie's parents are also excellent cooks who, in the Greek tradition, use no recipes and no measuring tools except one old cup housed in a worn cupboard (hence "Mia Kouppa" - my cup!). Much to our benefit, Helen and Billie set out to quantify and record these delicious, healthy recipes so we can reproduce them in our homes. The lovely, comforting, filling dish is just one of the dozens (hundreds?) of recipes they feature.
I'll admit, at first I wasn't overly excited about the idea of making Greek Stewed Peas. However! Since the interview I've already made another double batch of this recipe for my family - enough for dinner and several lunches! Helen and Billie call this stewed pea dish "simple". I agree, in the sense that it is based on cheap, humble ingredients: carrots, potatoes, peas, and tomato sauce. On the other hand, the generous addition of fresh herbs elevates the dish to something truly special.
Helen and Billie taught me that nearly a third of the calendar years in Greece are considered "fasting days". Because of that, Greek food tends heavily towards vegetarian and even vegan. This is a filling and flavorful vegetarian dish. The peas are full of fiber, which adds to feelings of fullness. Boiled potatoes have ranked highly for producing feelings of satiety. High quality olive oil and (if you choose to garnish with it) feta cheese both contribute a little fat to stick with you for hours after the meal.
Add a good quality feta - they taught me that true Greek Feta is always made from sheep's milk - and some bread, and one might even call this a rustic feast.
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Episodes Related to this Stewed Pea Recipe
Episode 034, "Mia Kouppa and the Greatest Love Story"
Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player
Recipe
Greek Stewed Peas
- Total Time: 49 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This is a filling and flavorful vegetarian dish of peas, potatoes, and tomatoes, elevated with fresh herbs and high quality olive oil.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/2 cup Greek olive oil
- 750 grams frozen peas, defrosted
- 1 cup finely diced carrot
- 2 medium sized potatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 1 cup fresh tomato sauce or passata
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped dill
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Cue Up The Episode!
Make sure to listen to Helen and Billie on The Storied Recipe Podcast, Mia Kouppa and The Greatest Love Story while you make their Stewed Peas recipe!
Make The Recipe
- Combine oil and diced onion in a large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until onions are caramelized, approximately 5 – 7 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Make sure to listen to Helen and Billie on The Storied Recipe Podcast, Mia Kouppa and The Greatest Love Story while you make their Stewed Peas recipe!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Salads
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 11
- Sodium: 423
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 37
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 9
Would love to hear from you!