Cream of Green Pea Soup With Fresh Mint

Found this recipe a few years back when I was desperately trying to use up a surplus of frozen green peas. This soup recipe is perfect for a light and lazy summer meal and quick to prepare. Garnish each serving with a mint leaf if desired.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 2-3

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped yellow onion
• 1  cup  finely minced celery & leaves
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1⁄2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2  cups frozen green peas
• 1  cup  chopped romaine lettuce or 1  cup  mixed greens
• 1  cup  chicken stock or 1  cup  vegetable stock
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 4  tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped (NOT dried)
• 2  tablespoons fresh parsley
•  salt
•  white pepper
• 1  dash  freshly ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 cup  real sour cream
• 1⁄2 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Saute onion, celery and garlic in the olive oil for a few minutes until vegetables soften.
2. Add frozen peas, lettuce and broth. Heat until very hot but not boiling, then add milk, reduce heat and simmer covered 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes, transfer the soup mixture into a blender (or use an immersion blender), add the mint and parsley and process until smooth.
4. Stir in the salt and white pepper, nutmeg, sour cream and butter. Blend soup mixture well by hand. Heat through and serve with a smile.