From the Garden...Green Peas with Bacon

I’m always on the look-out for pretty side dishes and new ways with vegetables.  This recipe from “Southern Living Comfort Food " caught both Myrna’s and my eye.  My husband loved ‘em…what’s not to like…bacon, orange, mint and peas.  This would be a very nice vegetable for entertaining or a family treat.  I used bacon from my brother-in-law’s homestead hog that was processed at the Leighton Locker in Leighton, Iowa.  Check out orange zest HERE.

 Green Peas with Bacon

  4    slices  bacon

  2    teaspoons  bacon drippings -- save in skillet

  2    each  shallots -- sliced

  1    teaspoon  orange zest

  1    cup  orange juice -- fresh

  2    pounds frozen green peas -- thawed*

  2    tablespoons  mint -- fresh, chopped

  1    tablespoon  butter

 Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp.  Remove and crumble bacon.  Remove 2 teaspoons drippings in skillet.

Sauté shallots in hot drippings over medium high heat for 2 minutes or until tender.  Stir in orange zest, orange juice, pepper and salt.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until reduced by half.  Add peas and cook 5 minutes.  Stir in mint and butter.

Transfer peas to a serving dish, sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

*6 cups shelled fresh sweet green peas may be substituted.  Cook the peas in boiling water to cover 5 minutes; drain and proceed with recipe as directed.

12 servings

Per Serving: 96 Calories; 3g Fat (27.9% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 133mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1/2 Grain (Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat.