Pea Mint Soup With Crispy Prosciutto Strips Food

PEA & MINT SOUP WITH CRISPY PROSCIUTTO STRIPS

Steps:

• Put the leeks, potato and stock in a pan and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 8 mins.
• Tip in the peas, cover and cook for 5 mins more. Take off the heat and blitz with a hand blender (or in a food processor) until smooth, then stir in the yogurt and mint.
• Meanwhile, lay the slices of prosciutto in a large non-stick frying pan in a single layer and heat until crisp. Allow to cool a little, then tear into strips, ready to sprinkle over the soup with some ground black pepper. Will keep in the fridge for 2 days.

PEA SOUP WITH CRISP PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat and cook the leeks for 5 minutes, stirring until they have softened; add the potatoes, garlic and thyme and cook for 2 minutes; add the stock and bring to the boil over a high heat; reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes; add the peas and simmer for 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
• Puree with a hand blender until the soup is smooth. If you like a bit of chunkiness in your soups, take out a portion of the soup before pureeing, then return it to the pot after you've finished pureeing the bulk of the soup.
• Meanwhile, place the prosciutto on a baking tray and cook it under a hot grill for 2-3 minutes each side, until crisp.
• Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, and serve it in bowls with prosciutto and crispy rolls.
• TIP: If you're a microwave rather than a grill user, or your grill is a bit dodgy, you may prefer to cook your prosciutto in a single layer between 2 double sheets of kitchen paper for a couple of minutes in the microwave. Because microwaves vary so enormously in heat, if using this option, err on the side of caution and just cook the prosciutto for a minute to start with.and then perhaps for an extra 30 seconds at a time until the prosciutto is how you want it. It's too delicious to waste. Not quite as crisp as grilled, but a useful alternative. Apologies if this is a method you've known for years! It's a useful tip if you're unfamiliar with it.

FRESH PEA SOUP WITH MINT

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large kettle over medium heat. Add onions, salt, and pepper, and cook 5 minutes until onions have softened. Sir in the garlic and cook 1 minute until its aroma is released. Add the potatoes and saute 5 minutes until they begin to color. Add the chicken stock, lower the heat, and simmer gently 25 minutes until potatoes are soft. Add the peas and cook 3 minutes until tender but still bright green. Puree the mixture either through a food mill, with an immersion blender, or in a food processor, until smooth. Place in a clean pot, stir in the cream, and rewarm gently. Stir in the fresh mint and serve.
• In Portugal, this soup is often made with fresh fava beans. Use them if you can find them. Mint (horteln) grows abundantly in Portugal and is widely used in savory dishes, frequently in combination with coriander (coentro).

PEA SOUP WITH CRISP PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place prosciutto slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake until crisp, about 18 to 20 minutes, turning once. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, and blot to remove excess oil. Cool.
• In a stockpot, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and saute onions with a pinch of salt over medium heat until soft but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, another pinch of salt and just enough water to cover; cook until soft, about 15 minutes. Add shelled peas and sugar snaps with enough hot water just to cover them. Cover pot, and simmer until peas are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and puree soup in a food processor or blender in small batches. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into soup bowls, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with crisped prosciutto on top.

SUGAR SNAP PEA SALAD WITH (CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND) MINT

Steps:

• To blanch the peas, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of well-salted ice water and set it nearby.
• Add the peas to the boiling water, let the water return to a boil, then cook for 2 more minutes. Remove the peas from the boiling water and immediately plunge them into the ice water. When the peas are cold, drain them and lay on paper towels to dry.
• Cut the peas in half lengthwise, then set aside.
• Coat a medium saute pan with olive oil, then add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Set the pan over medium heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add the prosciutto and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until crispy. Add the red wine vinegar. Turn off the heat.
• In a large bowl, combine the arugula, snap peas, onion and garlic.
• Scatter the crispy prosciutto on top and any juices from the pan.
• Add the pecorino and mint.
• Garnish with cracked black pepper.

GARLIC SOUP WITH CRISPY PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a sharp knife, trim the top off of each head of garlic, keeping the bulb intact. Place each bulb in a square of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil. Drizzle each bulb with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and about 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves. Wrap foil around bulbs and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until garlic is very tender. Open foil carefully by cutting along top with a sharp knife, allowing steam to escape; then open top.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chopped shallots and saute on medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Add potatoes, remaining thyme and bay leaf. Squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves into the pot. Saute for 3 minutes over medium heat. Stir in broth and 1 cup cream. Bring to boil and then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes or until potatoes are very tender. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes to cool. Remove thyme and bay leaf.
• For the prosciutto, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place slices flat on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until crispy. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Break the prosciutto into small pieces and set aside. In a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth; return to pot. Stir in remaining cup of cream and bring to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crispy prosciutto, lemon zest, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Finish with a few leaves of parsley.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a big soup pot, set over med-high heat.
• Add in leeks; saute/stirring, until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
• Add in cauliflower florets, chicken stock, and cayenne pepper; bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally; then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cover pot.
• Cook until vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes.
• Puree the soup in batches in a food processor, blender, or food mill, and return soup to pot (or use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot).
• Whisk in 1/2 cup of the cheese and the creme fraiche; taste the soup and season with salt if needed (the soup can be made 2 days ahead; cool, cover, and refrigerate; reheat over medium heat).
• Cut the prosciutto into julienne strips 3-4 inches long and 1/4 inch wide.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat; when hot, add the prosciutto, saute/stir occasionally, until crisp and browned, for 4-5 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer prosciutto to paper towels to drain.
• To serve--ladle soup into 6 soup bowls; sprinkle each serving with some prosciutto, chopped parsley, and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.