People catering for several guests
You’re looking for an easy side dish in a larger quantity and can prepare a 1 kg bag of plain peas, or store any you don’t use.
If you’re catering for several guests, a 1 kg bag of plain peas is a good option if you can prepare them and store any leftovers. If you’re short on time just before serving, look for a product that’s already cooked or par-cooked and follow the instructions on the pack. For a smaller gathering, check that the pack size suits the amount you need.
You’re looking for an easy side dish in a larger quantity and can prepare a 1 kg bag of plain peas, or store any you don’t use.
You want to heat the vegetables shortly before serving. Products that are already cooked or par-cooked may be worth considering, depending on the instructions on the pack.
You want to check the stated origin or the exact terms of a claim before choosing a particular product.
First, work out how much you need to serve and how much time you have before the meal. Then check the information for each product if it matters to your choice.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity to serve | Net weight of the bag and whether you can store any peas you don’t use. | If I’m hosting several people, I want enough peas without having to open several bags; around 50% of consumers would put choosing an amount suited to their gathering at the heart of their decision. |
| Preparation time | Whether the pack says “already cooked” or “par-cooked”, the cooking method and the quantity specified in the instructions. | When it’s nearly time to serve, I prefer a preparation method that suits the equipment I have; speed would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Product information | The stated origin and the exact scope of any claims on the pack for the product you choose. | If the origin or a particular claim matters to me, I want to read the terms before deciding; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this information. |
A 1 kg pack may suit a gathering of several guests, but it’s worth thinking twice if you only need to serve a small amount.
Estimate how much you need and check that you can store the rest in line with the instructions on the pack.
Auchan’s instructions for its already-cooked product and Bonduelle’s for its steam-par-cooked product apply to different items.
Check the bag for the quantity, equipment and cooking time for the product you’ve bought.
The DGCCRF points out that a rise in temperature encourages microbial growth and can make food unsafe to eat.
Pick up frozen food last, keep transport time to a minimum and follow the storage temperature on the pack. Do not refreeze a thawed product.
A 1 kg bag of frozen peas.
A 1 kg bag of frozen sweet peas.
A 1 kg bag of very fine peas.
A 1 kg pack of frozen extra-fine peas.
Two products to choose between, depending on how you want to prepare them: 1 kg of extra-fine peas or 750 g of sweet peas that are already cooked.
A 750 g product described by Bonduelle as steam-par-cooked and harvested in France.
First, check the net weight and how much you plan to serve. A 1 kg bag may suit a larger gathering if you can prepare the peas and store any leftovers. Also consider the type of pea and how it should be cooked.
Yes, if the instructions for the product say you can. Auchan says its 750 g pack of already-cooked peas can be prepared without thawing first; follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought.
For 150 g of its already-cooked peas, Auchan recommends 5 to 6 minutes in a frying pan, or 3 to 4 minutes in a microwave at 900 W. Bonduelle recommends 3 minutes in a frying pan for 150 g of its steam-par-cooked product; these times don’t apply to every product.
Keep them out of the storage conditions stated on the pack for as little time as possible, and put the peas back in the freezer as soon as you get home. The DGCCRF points out that maintaining the cold chain also applies when transporting food.
This is a guarantee made by Bonduelle for the product in question, based on a limit of quantification below 0.01 ppm for more than 500 molecules tested. The claim doesn’t mean that all competing products have been compared.