Over the Christmas holidays I went out with my family to eat at a steakhouse. Before I became a vegetarian I would have never guessed what in the world a vegetarian eats at a steakhouse. Eating out as a vegetarian or vegan is always an adventure of sorts. I’ve been to more than one restaurant where there was literally not one vegetarian option (let alone vegan lol) on the menu. After becoming vegetarian, you quickly learn that in a lot of places, not even the fries or salads are vegetarian. But at steakhouses I’m usually A-OK because there is always a ton of awesome sides to choose from – a bit ironic, amiright? And this steakhouse in particular had some really interesting sides on the menu.Â
I’ve always been the kind of person who likes to have a little bit of this and a bit of that so ordering a variety of sides over a main meal leaves me perfectly content (especially at a new restaurant where I want to try everything and can never make up my mind!). #EatHappyLiveHappy
Do you ever take inspiration from unique restaurant items you wouldn’t usually make at home?
This is exactly where these Fancy Sauteed Snow Peas come in. I ended up eating German spetzle, a shredded kale and brussel sprouts salad and these delicious truffle oil snow peas – as a lot of vegetarians know, when in doubt, eat all the sides!! These fancy sauteed snow peas were a big hit with everyone at the table! We recreated them several times over the holidays and I knew I had to share this simple recipe with you. These Fancy Sauteed Snow Peas come together in a cinch and make the perfect warm or cold appetizer or side.
Truffle oil is not usually something I cook with in my kitchen because, let’s get real, it’s super pricey (aka not on my student budget). But for special occasions, sometimes a little truffle oil is just what you need. It’s unique and rich flavor is truly hard to beat. If you don’t have truffle oil on hand you can always substitute for extra virgin olive oil because can you ever go wrong with a bit of EVOO?
If you do end up making these Fancy Sauteed Snow Peas, I love hearing about it! Share it with me on the Ceara’s Kitchen Facebook Page, Tweet it to me @CearasKitchen or Instagram it to me @CearasKitchen with #CearasKitchen. Wishing you a great week!
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- 500 grams snow peas (4 heaping cups)
- 1 tbsp truffle oil (or olive oil)
- 2 heaping tbsp pine nuts
- ½ tsp sea salt
- Warm truffle oil in a large pan over medium high heat.
- Add snow peas to the warm pan. Sautee for around 4 - 5 minutes until the snow peas start to slightly soften.
- Add pine nuts and sautee for another couple minutes. *Make sure to continue sauteeing the snow peas to ensure the pine nuts do not burn!
- Sprinkle a dash of sea salt on the snow peas. Serve warm as a hot appetizer or side or save for later as a cold appetizer or side.
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45 comments
Yum! This dish looks so good!
Yum This looks so good! Just how I like my recipes – simple and sophisticated 😉 Never thought to try truffle oil like this with greens but maybe I’ll splurge on a bottle and try it! Love the addition of pine nuts too.
Lovely blog by the way – great recipes.
xxx
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Thais!! 🙂 Have a great end of week!
i LOVE snap peas!!! I totally want to try them in truffle oil now it sounds so tasty!
😀 Thanks, Michele!
I love sides too and you can totally fill up on sides!! I love snap peas…love their crispy texture. I don’t like truffle oil unfortunately. I tried it once on some fries and it didn’t go over too well, lol! These still look delish and really easy and are certainly a pretty, vibrant color!
Thanks, Brandi! I think that truffle oil is one of those things that you either love or hate! I’d leave it up to you to make an awesome oil-free version of these 🙂 Hope your week is going great!
Oh Ceara. I get it. Back home in Texas, when I visit, we always end up at a BBQ pit. Always. So what do I get? Sides (and I am great with this too!). But often the sides are laden with bacon, so I usually end up with the salad bar and a baked potato. At least the BBQ sauce is suitable for slathering on the potato!
Lovely snow peas. I can’t wait until these come back in season here. Santa brought me some truffle oil for Christmas, so this will be a perfect application! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks, Traci! And what a great Santa you have bringing you truffle oil! What an amazing and useful gift – fancy cooking products are always my favorite Xmas gifts!
And I hear you re. sides being cooked in lard – that happens a lot here with french fries and croquettes! It still always catches me off guard! You can never go wrong with a loaded sweet potato or stacked salad bar though 🙂
I have never tried truffle oil but am very intrigued and this looks like a delicious combo of ingredients : )
Thanks, Tamzin! 😀
I love easy and delicious side dishes like this one. Especially ones that are bright and colourful, as it makes the kitchen a little nicer on those cold winter days 🙂
I totally agree, Cara! Comforting sides on chilly winter days is a must 🙂 Hope you are doing great!
I’m all about the sides when it comes to eating out too! Just gimme all the veggies and I’m set. 🙂 These snap peas are absolutely gorgeous and I love how fancy they look!
Thanks, Sarah!! It’s all about the sides over here!! Hope you’re having a wonderful week 🙂
Yum yum yum to snap peas and pine nuts! Love this side 🙂
Thanks, Medha!
For the snap pea recipe, is it snow peas that you have on the picture? They are two different veggies and are yummi!
Hi Maria! Thanks for letting me know. These are in fact snow peas – silly, silly me! I live in Belgian and seem to have mistranslated the package I bought them in from Dutch! I am changing the recipe accordingly 🙂 Hope you enjoy the recipe! Thanks again!
These sauteed snap peas will make an awesome and healthy addition to dinner tonight. Thanks for the quick and easy recipe!
Thanks, Thalia! I hope you enjoy them 😀
Sides are the best! I also prefer trying out many side dishes in a new restaurant, rather than one main dish.
These peas look lovely, beautiful green color!
Thanks for the kind words, Evi! 🙂
These snap peas looks gorgeous, Ceara! I love the pretty color and pics! I’m the same way, I would totally rather fill up on sides rather than one big main dish too 🙂
Thanks, Kelly!! Hope you’re week is going well 😀
Wow Ceara, I need to try this recipe soon! While I’m not a vegetarian, I think restaurants should offer variety of vegetarian sides. Pinning these and will make them!
😀 Thanks for the kind words and pin, Mira!!!
Yes! Sides are a vegan’s best friend, and you can actually fill up quite well on them. 🙂 I love sugar snap peas, especially prepared like these. Thanks Ceara. Pinned!
You’r so right Linda – sides are a vegan’s best friend!! Thanks for the kind words and pin!! Hope you’re having a wonderful week 😀
You had me at Fancy! I’ll be sure to put on a formal gown when I eat these 🙂 I’ve actually never bought truffle oil. I wouldn’t know what to do with it but these look worthy. I’ll have to see if I can find some next time I go grocery shopping aka every day 🙂
Haha!!! You are too funny, Vanessa! A little goes a long way with truffle oil – it’s been making it’s way into a lot of my dishes lately as a “finishing touch” 😀 And I hear you on grocery shopping every day – it seems like I’m always running out of everything! Hope you’re having a great week!
Pinning! Love the pics, love the snap peas, love the truffle oil. Win. Win. Win.
Thank you so much, Lori!! 🙂
This looks so good..have to give this a try! I totally hear you on the limited options vegetarians have…that’s why when I eat out I prefer eating in India/Middle easter/Mexican restaurants..there are tons of veggie options in these cuisines..especially Indian…
I totally agree – all of the above options always have the BEST vegetarian options! Eating out as a vegetarian in an Indian restaurant is THE best!
Ooooh these sound amazing! I love snap peas, and I love how you dolled them up, but they’re still super simple. The truffle oil sounds to die for. Pinned!
Thanks so much for the sweet words and pin, Rachel! Happy Monday!
I never thought about going to steakhouses for vegetarians, but that totally makes sense that you can eat all of the sides! And sometimes the sides are even better than the main course. I love that you got some inspiration to make these snap peas, Ceara! They look fantastic! I’ve never actually cooked these before, but I do love them. They sound like the perfect side dish! Pinned! Hope you have a wonderful Monday, friend!
I totally agree – often the sides are better than the main course! 🙂 I love being able to snack on a little bit of everything! Thanks for the kind words as always my friend!! Wishing you a great week!
Your photos are absolutely stunning! Can’t wait to check out more delicious eats on your beautiful blog!
Thanks so much for stopping by Kelly and for the kind words 🙂 Happy Monday!
Happy Monday Ceara! I find that no matter what I make for dinner, I’m always looking for an awesome veggie side to go with it (I strive for 9 servings of veggies a day!). And snap peas are probably rank at the top for me. They are so tasty! I grow them in summer, but don’t mind splurging on them during the winter months because they are so nutritious. Love the pine nuts on top, what a great idea. Will be making this soon! Thanks!
Happy Monday Laura! I love that you strive for 9 servings of veggies a day 😀 What an awesome goal!! Snap peas are one of my favorite veggies as well! Have a great week!
Sometimes in a restaurant I would much rather just order loads of side dishes rather than a main meal haha
Me too!! 🙂