Potato and Green Peas Patties with Fish Sauce

Dislike Peas?

Well, you’re not alone.

Adults may dislike peas as well as kids. This was the case of my daughter who couldn’t stand the sight of green peas. Growing up myself, it was a vegetable I disliked so much. On a particular day, I saw my colleague having her lunch, and guess what her lunch was? Steamed green peas with poached eggs. Ewwww. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that someone could eat green peas that I detested so much. I asked her and she said it was one of her favourite dishes. Well, I thought to myself, if she could eat it, I could get myself to try to make it to like. So, I decided to incorporate it gently into my rice.

Well, white rice and peas kind of worked but I was still conscious of it. The next recipe to try was the typical Portuguese Arroz de Carne which is rice with tomatoes and meat. It is a recipe I learned from my mother-in-law and I think the magic touch to this recipe was the choriço (smoked Portuguese pork sausage) which gave it that smokey taste. After eating the meal, I actually fell in love with the dish. This was the moment I decided to start recreating the dish but with a twist to my liking.

Here in Portugal, there is a traditional dish that is made with cooked green peas and poached eggs. When my mother-in-law prepared it at home, it was then I knew that my portuguese colleague was right on track. My mother-in-law made the dish called Ervilhas com ovos escalfados, I then realized it was possible to eat just green peas and they would taste delicious. However, my daughter Mel still wouldn’t eat it. I have tried and explored various ways to get her to peas but she always picked them out and ate the rest of her food. Funny right?

I always looked for ways to get my children eat vegetables. From their little age, I would always incorporate various veggies into their meals and they have grown to love them. Except for Mel and green peas :). This summer, I decided to explore a different kind of recipe to see her reaction to green peas.

I made these potato patties to which I added some green peas. I did this by cutting and boiling together the potatoes and green peas, I mashed the two together and added some beaten eggs and oat flour to help in molding them. After the molding, I pan-fried the patties, and they turned out so perfectly. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I also prepared a fish sauce to accompany these patties and they tasted so delicious.

Well, the moment of truth came when I served the meal. Everyone sat at the table and couldn’t wait to delve into the meal except for one. Mel of course! She looked at it and asked, Mom, is that peas? I nodded and she said but you know I do not like peas. I said to her that I knew but made this recipe specially for her to try out and let me know.

Though hesitant, she tried the patties and said, “well not bad”. Really? She ate an entire patty and that was impressive. I told her that peas actually taste great when cooked right.

So my little secret is to incorporate the peas into something they like or you like and try it out. Also, I decided that I will recreate this meal but with another approach by really mashing the peas so that she wouldn’t be able to tell it is green peas. I will also add some cheese in my next recipe so the patties will come out all gooey when pulled apart.

The complete recipe of this dish can be found below