Creme De Favas / Portuguese Fava (Broad) Bean Soup

I picked up a second hand book called Portuguese Cookery by Ursula Bourne, and want to post recipes that I have adapted so that I can make them soonest. If you make this before I do I would very much appreciate your feedback.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb  shelled fava beans (broad beans, 450g)
• 1  pint  chicken stock (2 cups)
•  olive oil
•  salt (to taste)
•  pepper (to taste)
• 1  cup crouton

Directions

1. Skin the fava beans (broad beans) and cook them in the chicken stock until they are soft and cooked though.
2. Blend, sieve or liquidize, the cooked mixture adding as little olive oil as possible to get a smooth consistency. Add pepper and salt to taste.
3. Serve topped with croutons.