Green Pea and Mint Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 50g/2 oz butter

• 4 spring onions, chopped

• 450g/1 lb fresh or frozen peas

• 600ml/1 pint chicken or vegetable stock

• 2 large fresh mint sprigs

• 600ml/1 pint milk

• pinch of sugar (optional)

• salt and ground black pepper

• single cream, to serve

• small fresh mint sprigs, to garnish

Serves 4

Method:

1. Heat the butter in a large saucepan and gently fry the spring onions until just softened but not colored.

2. Stir the peas into the pan, add the stock and mint and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer very gently for about 30 minutes for fresh peas or 15 minutes if you are using frozen peas, until the peas are very tender.

3. Remove about 45ml/3 tbsp of the peas using a slotted spoon, and reserve for the garnish.

4. Pour the soup into a food processor or blender, add the milk and puree until smooth. Then return the soup to the pan and reheat gently. Season to taste with a salt and pepper, adding a pinch of sugar if you wish.

5. Pour the soup into bowls. Swirl a  little cream into each, then garnish with mint and the reserved peas.

Notes : Fresh peas are increasingly available during the summer months from greengrocers and supermarkets. The effort of padding them is well worthwhile, as they impart a unique flavor to this delicious, vibrant soup.