Why Do Frozen Peas Boil Over So Easily?

[Tilly2]

Is there some scientific reason or is it because they are lightweight and travel easily with the water, up the saucepan?

No other frozen veg is so animate!


(My peas have just boiled over...again! I wasn't watching them.)

[Mamyalynne]

Escapeas!

[Tilly2]

You got it, Mamya!

[Jackdaw33]

Who boils them these days? I just stick mine in a bowl with some water and bung them in the microwave.

[Mamyalynne]

I do mine in M/Wave too, 1 minute and done.

If you must use a pan, a smear of butter round the rim stops a sudden boil over.

[Tilly2]

I do but I might try the microwave, Jackdaw. How long? What setting?

[Tilly2]

Does it, Mamya? I didn't know that.

[Jackdaw33]

See Mamya's post. 1/2 minutes on high.

[Hopkirk]

Don't put the heat so high?

[vulcan42]

Place this in any liquid it starts to rattle before the pot boils over.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METALTEX-GLASS-MILK-SAVER-BOIL-BOILING-WATER-ALERT-PAN-POT-WATCHER/182432989149?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo

[snags]

Ping 'em.

[woofgang]

I bring the water to the boil, toss the frozen peas in, bring them back to the boil and drain. I hate them overcooked and my micro is a combi so have usually got something else in it.

[DTCwordfan]

steam them, only 2 mins for Birds Eye, 3-4 if natural....

[snags]

A portion placed under the armpit should be done in approximately 2 hours.

[DTCwordfan]

between the toes for real flavour though, that Gorgonzola effect.....

[Tilly2]

I really want to know why they do it, not how to do it. :-)

[EDDIE51]

Don't even need the microwave. Just put them in a container and fill it with boiling water and leave it a couple of minutes. The heat of the water is enough to heat them up hot enough to eat.

[snags]

''between the toes...''

That'll take forever to get a plateful, unless you're from Norfolk.

[Islay]

I do the same as woof does

[ummmm]

The only time I boil peas is when I'm making pea soup.

Leave a spoon in the saucepan and it won't boil over.

[Tilly2]

It must be the way I cook them. I put them in cold water and put the pan on the hob, I turn on the hob to high then when the peas have boiled, I turn the heat to the lowest temperature and stick a lid on and leave them.

The critical bit is when they start to boil. The whole lot travels up the side of the pan so quickly. Take your eyes off them for one second and whoosh!