Spring Pea Soup With Mint Food

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S FRESH PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large saucepan, add the leeks and onion, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the onion is tender.
• Add the chicken stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil.
• Add the peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the peas are tender. (Frozen peas will take only 3 minutes.)
• Off the heat, add the salt, and pepper.
• *Puree the soup in batches: place 1 cup of soup in a blender, place the lid on top, and puree on low speed.
• With the blender still running, open the venthole in the lid and slowly add more soup until the blender is three-quarters full.
• Pour the soup into a large bowl and repeat until all the soup is pureed.
• Whisk in the creme fraiche and chives and taste for seasoning.
• Serve hot with garlic croutons.

FRESH PEA AND MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 7 minutes. Add peas and stir 1 minute. Add 5 1/2 cups broth and bring to simmer. Cook until peas are very tender, about 8 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Puree soup and 1/4 cup chopped mint in batches in blender until smooth. Return to same pot; thin with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, cover, and chill.
• Rewarm soup over medium-low heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls; garnish with additional mint.
• What to drink:
• A bottle of bubbly is the perfect way to begin this special meal. It's also a great pairing for the soup. We like the crisp acidity and long finish of the Champagne Henriot NV Brut Souverain ($35, France).

PEA, MINT & SPRING ONION SOUP WITH PARMESAN BISCUITS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and butter in a heavy based pan. When foaming, add the spring onions and potato. Gently fry without colouring for about 5 mins. Stir in the stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins or until the potato is tender.
• Stir in the peas, bring to the boil again, then cook for about 3 mins until they are just done. Remove the pan from the heat, add the mint leaves and whizz in a blender or food processor until smooth.
• To make the parmesan biscuits, heat the grill to high. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and divide the grated parmesan into 6 long strips. Grill for 1 min or until the cheese has melted and is lightly golden. While still warm and a bit flexible, release the biscuits from the baking parchment with a palette or cutlery knife, then cool until firm.
• To serve, heat the soup and divide between 6 bowls. Scatter with mint and sliced spring onions, if you like, and serve with the parmesan biscuits on the side.

MINTY PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned, 6-8 minutes. Add 2 cups broth and bring to a boil. Add peas, reduce heat, and simmer gently until tender, about 5 minutes for fresh peas, about 2 minutes for frozen.
• Remove pot from heat. Add parsley, mint, and remaining 2 cups broth to pot. Purée soup in a blender or with an immersion blender, thinning with water if soup is too thick, until smooth. Season soup with salt and pepper.
• Whisk crème fraîche and cream in a small bowl to blend. Serve warm soup topped with chives, passing crème fraîche mixture alongside for spooning over.

SPRING PEA SOUP WITH MINT

Steps:

• Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat.
• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until just before it
• starts to brown, about 1 minute. Stir in the peas, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt and boiling water. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until the peas are tender, about 2 minutes.
• Let the pea mixture cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Add the spinach and mint. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Depending on the size of your blender you may need to blend the soup in two or three batches.
• Return the soup to the saucepan and adjust its consistency as desired, adding room temperature water if it's too thick. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the soup hot or place the soup in an ice bath for about 20 minutes and serve chilled. Top with pea shoots, chives or mint.

SPRING PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan or stock pot on medium heat. Add leeks and onion and cook for 5 minutes, until tender. Add peas and stir to coat with leek mixture. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add mint and season with salt and pepper.
• Purée soup in blender, food processor or immersion blender. Return to heat. Stir in evaporated milk. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• TIPS: To clean leeks, chop and place in a large bowl of cold water. The dirt will sink to the bottom of the bowl. lift out leeks and rinse in a strainer.
• It will take about 4 lb. of peas in the pod to yield 6 cups of shelled peas.

GREEN PEA AND MINT SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over low heat. Add the 4 chopped green onions, and cook until softened, but not brown. Stir in the peas, vegetable stock, and 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint. Increase heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat back to low, cover, and let simmer for about 30 minutes. If you are using frozen peas, 15 minutes is enough.
• Using a large slotted spoon, remove about 3 tablespoons of the peas, and set aside for garnish. Pour the soup into a blender or food processor along with the milk, and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Throw in a pinch of sugar if desired. Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
• Pour the soup into 4 serving bowls. Swirl 1 tablespoon of light cream into each one, then garnish with reserved peas and sprigs of mint.

SPRING PEAS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Add shelled peas to boiling water and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice-water bath until cooled; drain. Set aside.
• Add sugar snap peas to boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to ice-water bath until cooled. Drain and set aside.
• Heat butter and oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened. Add both peas and stir until heated through and well combined. Season with salt and pepper; stir in mint. Serve immediately.