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Easy homemade Nando’s Macho Pea recipe

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Make an easy homemade version of Nando’s macho peas with just a few ingredients you may have at home. It is delicious and quick; you only need peas, mint, parsley, and chili pepper. 

Whether served standalone or with a portion of rice or chicken, it is a perfect way to sneak some veggies into your dish. 

On my last visit to Lisbon, I ended up in Nando’s restaurant, a Portuguese restaurant chain specializing in peri peri chicken recipes.

Although I am not frequently visiting this chain, this side dish called Nando’s Peas grabbed my attention. After a long walk in the city, a simple pea side dish packed with flavors and freshly cut herbs was all I needed to fill my hungry stomach. So my husband and I started to analyze the dish, and the conclusion was we could easily recreate it at home! So this is a copycat recipe of what we tasted there.

How to Make Vegan Macho Peas?

What is Nando Matcho Pea?

Nando Matcho Peas appear among the most popular offerings in Nando restaurants. Matcho pea is a vegetarian dish made of pea (frozen, fresh, or canned) that is partially mashed and mixed with fresh mint and parsley and seasoned with chili, salt, and pepper. It can be a delightful accompaniment to the main course or a standalone vegetarian dish.

Copycat Nandos Macho Peas Ingredients

Peas:

You can use Fresh, frozen, or canned green peas; I used frozen. I prefer using Birds Eye garden peas or any garden peas available in the frozen section of supermarkets. These peas are larger and are ideal for this recipe. Avoid using Petit Pois as they are small and may not work in this recipe. 

Mint:

The use of fresh herbs is imperative to get the desired flavors. Thus don’t substitute with dry mint. Opt for a few sprigs of fresh mint instead, with spearmint or peppermint being the best choices to add a minty flavor to the dish.

Easy homemade Nando's Macho Pea recipe

Parsley:

The presence of fresh parsley in this recipe makes a great difference. It adds a vibrant, peppery, and herbaceous flavor to the dish.

Chili pepper

Chilli peppers add a bit of heat and flavor, depending on your tolerance to spiciness.

For a mild level, you can choose a jalapeño pepper that adds a subtle kick without being too overwhelming.

If you prefer a higher level of spiciness, go for a serrano pepper. It packs more heat than a jalapeño, giving your dish fiery punch.

Alternatively, you can use red chilli flakes.

What to do with leftover macho peas?

Butter

Both versions (Unsalted and salted) are good to use. They help to make creamy mashed peas.

Olive oil

I used a good quality extra virgin olive oil. But you can use infused oil with flavors, like this chive oil.

Salt and black pepper to taste

Macho Peas Recipe

This recipe is easy to make at home.

First step: Cook the peas

In a saucepan, follow the package instructions. In a nutshell, add the frozen peas to the water and boil the peas for 3 minutes.

Cook the peas

Second step: Drain the peas.

Once cooked, use a colander or sieve to drain the water from the peas. Split the peas into two halves, placing the first half in a bowl and returning the second half of the peas to the pan.

Drain the peas.

Third step: Mash the peas in the bowl.

In the bowl, add a drizzle of olive oil and butter. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the peas, creating a slightly creamy texture.

Mash the peas in the bowl.

Fourth step: Chop the herbs.

Finely chop fresh mint leaves, parsley, and chili. Add these chopped herbs to the bowl containing the mashed peas.

Chop the herbs.

Fifth step: Mix everything together and serve.

Combine the mashed minted peas from the bowl with the second half of the unmashed peas in the pan. Stir to combine thoroughly. Now you can enjoy your Macho Peas!

Mix everything together and serve.

What to do with leftover macho peas?

Macho Peas are most delicious when made fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Then, when ready to eat, you can reheat the peas in the microwave for a warm serving. Alternatively, serve the Macho Peas straight from the fridge if you prefer them cold.

Can I freeze the homemade Macho Peas?

If you used frozen or canned peas in this homemade macho peas recipe, I do not recommend refreezing them once they have been cooked.

However, if you use fresh peas, you can freeze them later. 

Cool them to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a freezer bag. Seal it tightly, ensuring no air pockets, and use it within 6 months.

Can I freeze the homemade Macho Peas?

How to Make Vegan Macho Peas?

You can replace the butter with vegan butter for a vegan version of Macho Peas. Another option is to exclude the butter from the recipe and add olive oil.

Why You’ll Love This Macho Peas Copycat Recipe

Quick and Easy: Making Macho Peas requires minimal time and effort, making it the perfect side dish. 

Burst of Flavour: The combination of fresh herbs creates a vibrant and refreshing cooked peas taste.

Versatility: Macho Peas can complement a wide range of main courses, whether it’s Nandos Peri Peri Chicken, roasted vegetables, or plant based dishes. 

Make Homemade: By making Macho Peas at home, you have control over the ingredients, which it allows you to adjust the number of herbs, and spice levels and even experiment with additional ingredients to suit your taste.

Serving suggestions

Serving suggestions

Macho peas are the perfect side dish to accompany main courses. Serve them alongside baked chicken cutlets, steak, fish, or any protein of your choice. They also pair well with vegetarian meals like these cheesy mashed potatoes.

If you want to recreate a Nando’s experience at home, serve the Macho Peas alongside other Nando’s-inspired dishes. Prepare peri-peri chicken, spicy rice, and a fresh salad to complete the meal.

Include the Macho Peas as part of a tapas or sharing platter. Arrange them alongside other small bites like olives, hummus, pita bread, and grilled vegetables. 

Get creative and use the Macho Peas as a topping or mix-in for other dishes. For example, sprinkle them over salads, stuff them into wraps, or incorporate them into rice or grain bowls for an added flavor.

Serve the Macho Peas as a standalone snack or appetizer. Place them in a small bowl or dish and enjoy them with toothpicks or small forks. They make a tasty and nutritious bite-sized treat.

Copycat Nandos Macho Peas Ingredients
Why You'll Love This Macho Peas Copycat Recipe

Easy homemade Nando’s Macho Pea recipe

Vladka Merva
Make an easy homemade version of Nando's macho peas with just a few ingredients you may have at home. It is delicious and quick, and all you need is Peas, mint, parsley, and chili pepper. 
5 from 55 votes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Servings 4
Calories 174 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups peas fresh, frozen or fresh
  • 2 tbsp Mint finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 1 red chilies finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil Extra Virgin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • [mv_schema_meta name="Cook the peas"]In a saucepan, follow the package instructions. In a nutshell, add the frozen peas to the water and boil the peas for 3 minutes.
  • [mv_schema_meta name="Drain the peas."]Once cooked, use a colander or sieve to drain the water from the peas. Split the peas into two halves, placing the first half in a bowl and returning the second half of the peas to the pan.
  • [mv_schema_meta name="Mash the peas in the bowl."]In the bowl, add a drizzle of olive oil and butter. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the peas, creating a slightly creamy texture.
  • [mv_schema_meta name="Chop the herbs."]Finely chop fresh mint leaves, parsley, and chili. Add these chopped herbs to the bowl containing the mashed peas.
  • [mv_schema_meta name="Mix everything together and serve."]Combine the mashed minted peas from the bowl with the second half of the unmashed peas in the pan. Stir to combine thoroughly. Now you can enjoy your Macho Peas!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 154mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11g
Keyword Macho Peas, Macho Peas Copycat Recipe, Nando’s Macho Pea recipe, Nando’s Macho Peas
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Vladka on May 29th, 2023
5 from 55 votes (55 ratings without comment)

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