Chilled Minted Fresh Pea Soup Recipe
Fresh Pea Soup
A delightful summer soup: bright green, light and deeply flavored.
In my humble opinion, we are not paying enough attention to the wonderful possibilities of fresh peas. Often, fresh peas are demurely located on one side of our plate and generically called a side dish. In this Soup, the Fresh Peas are front and center, and responsible for the vibrant color and sweet and fresh flavor of this soup. Now, my Fresh Pea Soup vindicates the humble pea. I guarantee it! They play MVP role!
Don’t get me wrong: I do love split pea soup: Take a look at my Moroccan Split Pea Soup! But my Fresh Pea Soup uses fresh peas and screams summer from every rooftop. Also, with fresh peas, you end up with a much less starchy soup. It’s ideal when you are looking, as I always am, for lower carb options. Also, it is totally natural and vegetarian.
I love to use frozen peas
They are always there for you and every bit as delicious and nutritious as fresh peas.
Sometimes fresh loose (shelled) fresh peas are available and affordable, so go for them. Additionally, America neglects escarole, a member of the lettuce family. But it is a huge favorite in France. It has a delightfully bitter edge that makes it a big salad star, and lends itself perfectly to quick cooking, paired as it is here with milder ingredients for this wonderful fresh pea soup. Best of all, it is very easy to find in produce markets in all seasons.
Although what I originally had in mind when I developed my fresh pea soup was a chilled soup, I can see no reason not to serve it hot as well. In this case, add the yogurt in each bowl as a garnish (do not cook it).
Do not divide: freeze!
Only, do not stir in the yogurt in the part you will be freezing. Add the yogurt In the thawed soup just before serving.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 4 leeks, sliced
- 4 ribs celery, peeled
- 1 large bunch flat parsley
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 large green zucchini, unpeeled, cut in large chunks
- 2 quarts (8 cups water)
- 4 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 1 large head escarole, roughly chopped
- 1 large bunch mint, leaves only, about 1 cup packed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups plain yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
Instructions
Heat the oil in a heavy pot. In a food processor, coarsely grind the leeks, celery, parsley, onion and zucchini, and add the mixture to the hot oil. Sauté until translucent. Add all remaining ingredients except the yogurt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the temperature to medium, and cook covered about 10 minutes.
Cream the soup in a blender or food processor, or with an immersion blender. Adjust consistency and seasonings.
Chill completely, and stir in the yogurt.
Hi Levana!
Just wanted you to know that I made, and everyone LOVED this soup! Even my kids, perhaps you remember, my husband is allergic to tomatoes, and I have been forever searching for a cold summer soup – vichycoisse didn’t do it – but this one did! (Although perhaps you have an even better vichycoisse recipe) Nonetheless, everyone agreed it was excellent and sophisticated! In fact, maybe too fine, for a backyard BBQ, but I disagree.
Anyway, thank you, just wanted you to know I look forward to your emails with great recipes – when is your next book coming out??
Good Shabbos!
Denise
(In case you don’t remember, I’m Brenda’s daughter-in-law)
Denise, not only do I remember you, and very fondly at that, but I often ask Brenda when you can all come together so we can meet the rest of the family!
This is precisely the soup I am making for this shabbos! I find it’s the best.
The book is due beginning of next year: IT will be chock full of fantastic recipes, all without exception along healthy guidelines. We’ll make a little noise about it when we get closer!
Have a great Shabbos, Levana