Chilled Summer Lettuce, Lovage and Garden Pea Soup

French Tart's Note:

A delightful and refreshing chilled soup for summer - this savoury soup takes its flavour from freshly chopped lovage leaves, which impart a savoury, lemony and celery-like taste. I like to serve this pale green soup in clear glass bowls for maximum impact, with a few chopped leaves sprinkled on top and a swirl of cream. This soup makes an elegant starter for any summer event or a light luncheon dish. Do not be tempted to add more lovage then is suggested, it is a very strong flavoured herb and can be overpowering if used with a heavy hand!

• Total Time: 3 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 3 hrs
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

Yield: 4.0 Bowls

• 4 -5 medium spring onions , trimmed and chopped
• butter or olive oil
• 1 large cos lettuce or 2 large butterhead lettuce
• 250 g fresh garden peas or 250 g frozen peas
• 1 liter vegetable stock
• 5 -6 leaves fresh lovage , leaves (plus 4 more to garnish)
• salt and pepper
• cream , for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Sweat the spring onions in the oil or butter until soft, then add the peas and lettuce. Pour over two-thirds of the stock, bring to the boil and simmer gently for 5 minutes, or until the peas are tender.
2. Remove from the heat and add the lovage leaves then blend the soup with a hand blender or in a liquidiser. Thin the soup to your preferred texture with the remaining stock. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Place the soup in a container and chill in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 hours. Serve chilled with chopped lovage leaves and a swirl of cream.