Fresh Peas with Lettuce and Green Garlic

INGREDIENTS:

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp.

5 small stalks green garlic, any rough spots trimmed, sliced into very thin rounds

Kosher salt

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen shelled green peas

2 small heads of butter lettuce, washed and torn into pieces

Freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium sauté pan over low heat. Add the green garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic is tender and fragrant but with no color. Add the peas and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until they are tender and sweet. Stir in the lettuce and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter; add 1 tablespoon water if the mixture seems dry. Remove the pan from the heat and toss gently until the lettuce wilts and the butter melts. Season with fresh pepper and additional salt if needed.

Adapted from Cooking in the Moment: A Year of Seasonal Recipes by Andrea Reusing

Clarkson Potter, 2011