I had a can of Potatoes and a can of Peas, I made edible food that was actually delicious

 

Recently, I was challenged to make dinner with canned food.  I don't buy canned food. I buy canned tomato products for various recipes.  I have canned chic peas and canned black beans in my pantry at all times.  I keep cans of Niblets.  Really, you can't have a happy life without Niblets. I have canned cream of chicken soup for my fake (delicious) chicken divan.  I have Heinz baked beans (British cans) for my beans on toast meals and I think that's about it.  OH, I keep cans of evaporated milk here for making caramel for any dessert.  I think that's about it for my cans.

I haven't ever eaten (to my knowledge or memory) canned vegetables.  I listened dutifully as a friend told me about various side dishes and meals using canned potatoes and canned peas. I'm always up for a challenge and today I opened the cans. I didn't do the recipes she gave me, I ventured forth on my own,  Well, I was almost on my own, my International Tester was with me via Skype and she watched with a mix of horror and delight as I cooked up two quick dishes, using the canned vegetables.  I have to say, she facetimed me later and told me she'd gone to the store to buy her own canned potatoes and canned peas to try her own culinary experiments.

I will confess right up front, these were not disgusting.  The two recipes I made were, actually, delicious.  I will keep a can of each of these in constant rotation for a quick side.  I will shush the 'recipe' up next time to add a few things but on the whole, as a base, these to rock the boat! 

First, the potatoes: 

There's no recipes here, these are methods... jumping off points.

One can of sliced potatoes, some fat of some sort, a little chopped onion, salt, pepper and a little fresh green onion for after...  damn, these are good

Open the can, drain, rinse! and dry
    

Shush some onions in some fat and when they're slightly browned, toss in the potatoes.  Shush those around on a relatively high heat until they're gorgeous.  I cut mine in half with a fork purely because I can already tell, I want more pieces of this!
    

Cook, toss, plate, throw some green onions on and serve.  These are AMAZING with a fried or poached egg on top.  I'm gobsmacked at how good these are.  I'm keeping canned potatoes in my larder for the rest of my life.  wow
   


Now, the peas; in a can.  Wow.
So in a bowl, add a blob of mayonnaise, either homemade or store bought.  Add some chopped white onion.  I will admit, I did chop then rinse and dry the onions.  I didn't want the acidity of raw onions but did want the crunch.  Add a little pepper if you're so inclined.  I happened to find, about my person, one beautifully boiled egg.  This might be good.
    


Open, drain and rinse the peas.  Drain them well.  Add the chopped egg and mix.  Chill
    

I the to admit, I didn't think either would be good but, I have to confess... they are both yummy.  The peas is a nice alternative to potato salad on the side of some grilled chicken.

I think they're both worth a try... there you go, I coked with canned food and didn't throw it away.

Let me know, try them!

/tracy