I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
Test Kitchen recipes to test.

Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk

The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
peas that was flavorful without being heavy.

Sautéed Peas with Coconut Milk
Serves 4

Note: Do not thaw peas before cooking. Regular frozen peas can be used
in place of baby peas; increase cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes. Add the
lime juice right before serving, otherwise, the peas will turn brown.

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about
2 teaspoons)
1 pound frozen baby peas (3 cups)(see note)
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
2 teaspoon juice from 1 lime
Table salt and black pepper

1. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Add ginger and garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in
peas, coconut milk, and sugar. Cover and cook until peas are bright
green and heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Add butter and cilantro; toss
until incorporated. Remove pan from heat; stir in lime juice. Season
with salt and pepper to taste.

It sounded like something I would really like and I couldn't wait
to try it. I made it last night.

I was quite disappointed. It wasn't bad but it wasn't what I imagined
it would be. I couldn't taste the coconut milk at all. And I had to
open a can and then store the unused portion which is a nuisance.
I can't put my finger on what I didn't like about it aside from the
lack of coconut flavor. Oh, well.

I had some ham, the peas, and a Kashi brand 7-grain Moroccan curry.
(This stuff comes in a vacuum-sealed pouch that you just open a little
way and then heat in the microwave.) I had never tried the Kashi
products before. It wasn't too bad but it also was supposed to have
coconut milk in it and again, I couldn't taste it. I'm tempted to
add some of the excess coconut milk from the peas to the leftovers
tonight.

Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
this was more of a tie than a loss.

Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
I do.

Kate
--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400, Kate Connally >
wrote:

>I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
>Test Kitchen recipes to test.
>
>Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk
>
>The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
snipped
>Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
>this was more of a tie than a loss.
>
>Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
>luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
>I do.
>
>Kate

Not that I profess to be a great cook, but I have noticed that some
coconut milk is more flavorful than others. Of course, in Hawaii, we
probably have more choices, but my SO inadvertently bought some tinned
coconut milk that was thin and watery and quite unflavorful. Then I
went back to the basic local brand of frozen coconut milk (Mendoncas)
and it was far far better. Mendoncas was thick and white and smelled
like real coconut when I opened the can.

I think you recipe sounds delicious, btw.

aloha,
cea

"pure kona" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400, Kate Connally >
> wrote:
>
>>I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
>>Test Kitchen recipes to test.
>>
>>Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk
>>
>>The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
> snipped
>>Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
>>this was more of a tie than a loss.
>>
>>Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
>>luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
>>I do.
>>
>>Kate
>
> Not that I profess to be a great cook, but I have noticed that some
> coconut milk is more flavorful than others. Of course, in Hawaii, we
> probably have more choices, but my SO inadvertently bought some tinned
> coconut milk that was thin and watery and quite unflavorful. Then I
> went back to the basic local brand of frozen coconut milk (Mendoncas)
> and it was far far better. Mendoncas was thick and white and smelled
> like real coconut when I opened the can.
>
> I think you recipe sounds delicious, btw.
>
> aloha,
> cea

Cea! Your coffee is incredible! I have restricted myself to 1 pot of it a
day
because I go overboard on caffeine otherwise. :-)
Elly

On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:59:24 -0400, "Elly" >
wrote:

>
>"pure kona" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400, Kate Connally >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
>>>Test Kitchen recipes to test.
>>>
>>>Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk
>>>
>>>The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
>> snipped
>>>Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
>>>this was more of a tie than a loss.
>>>
>>>Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
>>>luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
>>>I do.
>>>
>>>Kate
>>
>> Not that I profess to be a great cook, but I have noticed that some
>> coconut milk is more flavorful than others. Of course, in Hawaii, we
>> probably have more choices, but my SO inadvertently bought some tinned
>> coconut milk that was thin and watery and quite unflavorful. Then I
>> went back to the basic local brand of frozen coconut milk (Mendoncas)
>> and it was far far better. Mendoncas was thick and white and smelled
>> like real coconut when I opened the can.
>>
>> I think you recipe sounds delicious, btw.
>>
>> aloha,
>> cea
>
>Cea! Your coffee is incredible! I have restricted myself to 1 pot of it a
>day
>because I go overboard on caffeine otherwise. :-)
>Elly
>

Thanks Elly. So glad!
with aloha,
Cea

pure kona wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400, Kate Connally >
> wrote:
>
>> I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
>> Test Kitchen recipes to test.
>>
>> Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk
>>
>> The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
> snipped
>> Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
>> this was more of a tie than a loss.
>>
>> Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
>> luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
>> I do.
>>
>> Kate
>
> Not that I profess to be a great cook, but I have noticed that some
> coconut milk is more flavorful than others. Of course, in Hawaii, we
> probably have more choices, but my SO inadvertently bought some tinned
> coconut milk that was thin and watery and quite unflavorful. Then I
> went back to the basic local brand of frozen coconut milk (Mendoncas)
> and it was far far better. Mendoncas was thick and white and smelled
> like real coconut when I opened the can.
>
> I think you recipe sounds delicious, btw.
>
> aloha,
> cea

FWIW, the canned brand that is most frequently recommended is
(sp?) Chao Koh. (remembered by the embedded OK)

--
Jean B.

Jean B. wrote:
> pure kona wrote:
>> On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400, Kate Connally >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
>>> Test Kitchen recipes to test.
>>>
>>> Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk
>>>
>>> The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
>> snipped
>>> Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
>>> this was more of a tie than a loss.
>>>
>>> Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
>>> luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
>>> I do.
>>>
>>> Kate
>>
>> Not that I profess to be a great cook, but I have noticed that some
>> coconut milk is more flavorful than others. Of course, in Hawaii, we
>> probably have more choices, but my SO inadvertently bought some tinned
>> coconut milk that was thin and watery and quite unflavorful. Then I
>> went back to the basic local brand of frozen coconut milk (Mendoncas)
>> and it was far far better. Mendoncas was thick and white and smelled
>> like real coconut when I opened the can.
>>
>> I think you recipe sounds delicious, btw.
>>
>> aloha,
>> cea
>
> FWIW, the canned brand that is most frequently recommended is (sp?) Chao
> Koh. (remembered by the embedded OK)
>

I looked this brand up online and saw a picture of the can.
That is the brand I always buy - Chaokoh.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?

pure kona wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400, Kate Connally >
> wrote:
>
>> I got another one of those Cook's Illustrated/America's
>> Test Kitchen recipes to test.
>>
>> Sauteed Peas with Coconut Milk
>>
>> The goal of this recipe was to create a simple side dish using frozen
> snipped
>> Well, you win some, you lose some, and you tie some. I guess
>> this was more of a tie than a loss.
>>
>> Anyway, maybe others will want to try this recipe and have better
>> luck with it than I did, or maybe just have a different taste than
>> I do.
>>
>> Kate
>
> Not that I profess to be a great cook, but I have noticed that some
> coconut milk is more flavorful than others. Of course, in Hawaii, we
> probably have more choices, but my SO inadvertently bought some tinned
> coconut milk that was thin and watery and quite unflavorful. Then I
> went back to the basic local brand of frozen coconut milk (Mendoncas)
> and it was far far better. Mendoncas was thick and white and smelled
> like real coconut when I opened the can.

I've been using the same brand for years. It is very flavorful
and is thick and white as you describe yours. I can't recall the
brand name but I buy it at the Asian Center, a store that sells
mostly Asian products. I don't see this brand in the supermarkets.
Anyway, I use it all the time as I *love* things with coconut milk
in them. Anyway, I spoon some more coconut milk over both by peas
and the 7-grain crap before I heated the plate in the microwave.
It was a big improvement on both dishes.

Kate

--
Kate Connally
“If I were as old as I feel, I’d be dead already.”
Goldfish: “The wholesome snack that smiles back,
Until you bite their heads off.”
What if the hokey pokey really *is* what it's all about?