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    Home » Eat Like A Greek » Arakas - Greek Sweet Peas With Dill

    Arakas - Greek Sweet Peas With Dill

    Last updated September 23, 2021. Originally posted July 25, 2021 By Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves. 18 Comments.

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    Arakas - Greek sweet peas is a traditional Greek dish so easy & fresh. In Greece, arakas is the main course but can be an awesome side dish to grilled steak, chicken, or fish.

    A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a cloth napkin at the back, two lemon wedges and some pieces of pita bread.

    Arakas - Greek sweet peas are part of a unique Greek gastronomic category, called "ladera", meaning vegetables cooked in a simple way with olive oil. Long before the veganism movement was born, Greek cuisine used wholesome olive oil which depending on its recipes and subcategories, is vegan and vegetarian.

    A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a cloth napkin at the back, two lemon wedges and some pieces of pita bread.

    This is my mother's sweet peas recipe, and it is very satisfying and healthy. Fuss-free, you literally throw everything in a pot, and half an hour later, a delicious meal emerges. 

    You need very few ingredients.

    On aa butcher block, two bouillon cubes, a small bowl with sea salt, a red pepper mill, a small container with olive oil, a bunch of fresh dill, five fresh scallions and a large bowl with frozen peas.

    All you need is a 2 lb bag of frozen sweet peas, 5-6 scallions, lots of fresh dill, and extra virgin olive oil. A couple of veggie bouillon cubes (always palm oil-free) or broth, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper and that's it. This recipe yields about 6 servings if you are serving araka as a main dish, and 8-10 if it is a side dish to a protein.

    How to make araka

    This is a very simple & easy sweet peas recipe.

    In a large pot, heat ⅓ cup olive oil. Add the scallions and sauté for a minute.
    Add the sweet peas, 2 cups of water, the bouillons, and the dill. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 min or until peas are soft but still hold their round shape. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. That's it!
    A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a lemon wedge and some fresh basil.

    How to enjoy araka

    • Arakas is usually served as a main dish with a salad, feta or graviera cheese, and crusty bread. However, it can be a delicious side to any roast or grilled protein. Enjoy the peas warm right out of the pot or at room temperature.
    • It makes great leftovers; I usually make the whole 2 lb bag of sweet peas for the two of us and enjoy the leftovers the next few days. A bowl of araka with some pita and a piece of cheese is all I need for a healthy and satisfying lunch. We might prepare some chicken, a salad, and a side of the lovely sweet peas for dinner.
    • Add some fresh lemon juice on top for a bright note.
    • Alternatively, you can cook araka with 2 cups of grated tomatoes, two or three potatoes quartered and a couple of carrots sliced in large coins. Turn the tomato version into a stew by adding bite-size pieces of tender chicken.
    • This roasted cauliflower is a great side dish and really easy to make.
    • The Greek flatbread-pita tastes amazing and is so good with dips and sauces.
    • These zucchini & feta fritters are my favorite summer appetizer.

    Check out my Greek pantry staples 

    Cooked this? Rate this recipe! You can also leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!

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    A plate with sweet peas, a spoon and fork, a cloth napkin at the back, two lemon wedges and some pieces of pita bread.

    Arakas - Greek Sweet Peas

    by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
    Arakas - Greek sweet peas is a traditional Greek dish that is so easy & fresh.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Greek
    Servings 6
    Calories 209 kcal

    Equipment

    • stock pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lb bag frozen sweet peas
    • 6 scallions chopped
    • 1 bunch fresh dill chopped
    • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 organic veggie bouillon cubes palm oil-free bouillon cubes

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, heat ⅓ cup olive oil. Add the chopped scallions and sauté for a minute.
    • Add the peas, the water, the bouillons and the dill. Stir well. Bring to a boil than reduce heat and simmer for 30 min or until peas are soft but still hold their round shape.
    • Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and serve.

    Notes

    • Instead of 2 bouillon cubes + 2 cups of water, you can use 2 cups of veggie broth.
    • Serve arakas on its own with good bread and cheese like gruyere or feta or a side dish to grilled steak, chicken, or fish.
    • You can add two carrots chopped in ½ inch coins and two, three potatoes cut in large cubes to this dish for a variation on this recipe. Don't stir the ingredients all together while they cook not to let the potatoes fall apart; shake the pot once and a while to move things around. 
     
     
    Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 240mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 8gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1249IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thegreekfoodie__ or tag #thegreekfoodie__

    Arakas - Greek Sweet Peas With Dill
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    Hi there!

    I am Jenny, a Greek expat living in the greater New York City area. I like to say I am a beauty art director turned foodie, aka the Greek foodie. Born and raised in Greece, my fondness for good food goes hand in hand with my heritage. My absolute favorite thing to do is cook delicious food to enjoy with family and friends.... Find out more about me here…

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