Chilled Pea Broth With Lemon Cream Food

PEA SOUP (FROM CANNED PEAS) WARM OR CHILLED

Steps:

• 1. In a large saucepan, saute' onion and garlic in oil until tender. Remove from heat.
• 2. Stir in peas, broth, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper.
• 3. Place half of the mixture at a time in a blender; cover and process until pureed.
• At this point, return to saucepan and heat thoroughly.
• * If serving cold, add all the pureed mixture to the blender and add the yogurt; puree until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

CHILLED PEA AND TARRAGON SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually mix in broth. Add peas and chopped tarragon. Simmer until peas are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain peas, reserving broth. Puree peas in processor. Add 1/2 cup broth and puree until smooth. Gradually blend in remaining broth. Transfer to medium bowl and refrigerate until well chilled. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
• Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls. Garnish each with small amount of crème fraîche and tarragon leaves and serve.

CHILLED PEA, LETTUCE AND HERB SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Add the peas, lettuce and stock or water, and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer five minutes. Remove from the heat. Drain through a strainer set over a bowl, and allow the vegetables and the broth to cool for 15 minutes. Taste the broth, and season as desired.
• Working in batches, purée the vegetables and herbs in a blender with the broth and additional olive oil for two minutes until frothy and smooth. Pour into a bowl, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings. Chill for several hours.
• Serve, garnishing with additional chives, tarragon and/or mint.

CHILLED PEA BROTH WITH LEMON CREAM

Steps:

• Cook onions in oil in a wide 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add sugar snaps and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender and bright green, 6 to 8 minutes. Add sugar and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Purée pea mixture with 6 cups water in a blender in 6 batches until very smooth, about 30 seconds per batch, then pour through a very fine sieve, discarding solids (do not press on solids). Stir in salt and chill broth, covered, until very cold, about 8 hours. (Do not chill longer or soup will discolor.)
• Whisk together sour cream, zest, and remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons water in a small bowl, then pour through a very fine sieve into another small bowl (to remove air bubbles).
• Serve broth topped with lemon cream.