Blistered Sugar Snap Peas with Cumin Yogurt
Sweet snap peas blister in a hot skillet and meet cool cumin yogurt, toasted almonds, and lemon.
Prep: 8 · Cook: 7 · Total: 15 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.6/5 (96 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
An original hot-and-cool side built around the contrast between blistered vegetables and a bright yogurt sauce.
Story
Casey likes snap peas best when they still make a little noise between your teeth. A quick blast of heat gives them browned edges without taking away that fresh crunch. The cumin yogurt is cool, tangy, and just rich enough. It turns a simple green vegetable into the part of dinner people talk about.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 1 lb sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp chopped mint
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat the snap peas dry so they sear instead of steaming.
- Stir yogurt, cumin, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
- Toast the almonds in a large dry skillet over medium heat until golden, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to a plate.
- Return the skillet to high heat, add olive oil and snap peas, and cook without moving for 2 minutes.
- Toss the peas and cook until blistered in spots but still crisp, about 3 minutes more, then season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Spread cumin yogurt on a platter, pile the peas on top, and finish with almonds and mint.
Chef Tips
- Dry peas are the key to getting real blistering instead of a watery sauté.
- Use a wide skillet so the peas sit in one layer.
- Swap almonds for toasted sesame seeds if you need a nut-free finish.
- Serve the yogurt underneath so it stays cool and creamy.
Cook's Notes
- Dry the peas thoroughly before they hit the skillet.
- Leave them alone for the first two minutes so the first side can brown.
- Make the yogurt while the pan heats to keep the timing tight.
- Assemble just before serving for the best texture.