Mushrooms and Snow Peas with Garlic Cream

This elegant yet incredibly simple side dish shows how a few quality ingredients can create something special. Tender mushrooms and crisp snow peas are bathed in a luxuriously simple garlic cream sauce, making it the perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, steak, or fish and best of all, it comes together in under 15 minutes!

Serves: 4 – 6 as a side dish

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients

• 250g button mushrooms, halved or quartered

• 200g snow peas, ends trimmed

• 1 large garlic clove, crushed

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 125 ml (1/2 cup) cream

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

• Chives to garnish (optional)

  
  

Instructions

1. Prep the Vegetables: Cut the mushrooms into halves or quarters so they are all roughly the same size. Rinse the snow peas and pat them completely dry. Trim the ends by pinching or cutting off the stem and pulling down slightly to remove any tough string.

2. Cook the Mushrooms: Melt the butter in a large frying pan over high heat. Once it's sizzling, add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and their released liquid has just about evaporated.

3. Season and Add Garlic: Generously season the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Add the crushed garlic and fry for just 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to let it burn.

4. Create the Sauce: Pour in the cream and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the prepared snow peas and stir everything to coat in the sauce. Cook for a further 1-2 minutes, just until the snow peas are bright green and tender-crisp.

5. Serve: Immediately remove from the heat. Do a final check for seasoning, adjust if needed, garnish with chives, if using then serve immediately.

   
   

Chef's Notes

• Make-Ahead: For the best texture, this dish is ideal made just before serving. However, you can prepare the mushrooms and wash and trim the snow peas ahead of time to make the cooking process even faster.

• Garlic is Key: Don't be tempted to add the garlic with the mushrooms. Adding it later prevents it from burning, which can create a bitter taste and ensures you get that perfect, sweet garlic flavor in the cream.

• Crisp is Best: Be careful not to overcook the snow peas. That quick minute in the pan is all they need to stay beautifully crisp and vibrant.