Name: Spring Pea Soup with Mint
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 2 shallots, chopped (about 1/3 cup); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 cups fresh English peas, shelled or frozen peas, thawed; Pinch cayenne pepper; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 cup packed fresh spinach (about 1 1/2 ounces); 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, chopped; Chopped pea shoots, chopped fresh chives or whole mint leaves, for serving

Directions

Try this cooking class now

25m Easy 95%

CLASS

Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until just before it starts to brown, about 1 minute. Stir in the peas, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper to taste and the boiling water. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until the peas are tender, about 2 minutes.
Let the pea mixture cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Add the spinach and mint. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Depending on the size of your blender you may need to blend the soup in two or three batches.
Return the soup to the saucepan and adjust its consistency as desired, adding room temperature water if it's too thick. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the soup hot or place the soup in an ice bath for about 20 minutes and serve chilled. Top with pea shoots, chives or mint.

Cook’s Note

Make it creamy, finish it with 1/4 cup of heavy cream or 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Make it naughty and top with crumbled bacon or crispy ham.

When blending hot liquid, first let it cool for five minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth.