Peas in tomato sauce with dill (arakas)

Steps

• Chisel finely the onion
• Coupez la carotte en deux dans la longueur et ensuite chaque morceau en demi-rondelles (*)
• Heat-up a medium saucepan
• Add onions and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until its humidity goes away
• Add the olive oil and continue to stir
• When onions become a bit brown, add carrots and continue to stir for 3’-4’
• Add peas and stir
• Add dill and stir again
• Add the tomato puree and hot water and stir
• Add salt and pepper and cook with lid on in medium heat for 40’. Stir occasionally while cooking.
• Serve with a little bit of lemon jus and a piece of feta cheese

What’s the story behind this recipe?

This is a Greek traditional dish of the cuisine grecqueIt’s called arakas laderos or αρακάς λαδερός. Usually, we use a lot of olive oil, as it’s name describes, because λαδερός means the one that has a lot of oil.

In Greece, this dish is a full dish, not a side dish as we usually use peas in France. It’s is eaten during Lent but not exclusively. It’s a 100% vegan dish for centuries. Often, it is served with feta cheese (outside Lent) and bread.

In my version, I cut-offoil quantity to minimum levels, enough though to be tasty, that is 2 teaspoons par serving. It seems maybe not enough, but the taste is there, if the seasoning and the cooking is done properly. Try it, you will be surprised! 

(*) Note that in the first version of this recipe, I had used the word “slices” because it’s a word that it’s usually used in recipes. At this day, I do not know if this word is correct but please know that the actual Greek dish has rounds of carrots and not vertical slices :) I just wanted to be more precise :) If you have any question please ask :) I am there for you :)