Green Pea and Minted Crème Fraîche Soup

on Apr 02 in Gluten Free, Ground black peppercorns, Natural grey sea salt, Soups, Starters, Vegetarian

This is a really tasty full of flavour soup and great for a cold lunchtime or as a special soup for a dinner party.

For 4/5 you will need:

• A large handful fresh mint, leaves only
• 500 g frozen peas – petit pois
• 1 tbs unsalted butter – melted
• 200 ml crème fraîche
• Cromptons Kitchen salt and freshly ground black pepper mix

1Bring 1 litre of water to the boil in a large pan with a teaspoon of natural grey sea salt. As soon as it boils add the mint leaves and bring back to the boil. Then add the peas and bring back to the boil again and cook for 4-5 minutes. The peas should be just tender and still bright green.

2Strain the mint and peas and allow to cool for several minutes. Reserve the cooking liquid.

3When cool put the peas and the mint into a food processor and add just enough of the cooking liquid to cover the peas and mint mixture, blend until it becomes a smooth bright green purée.

4Season to taste with the salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add the butter and blend for a few seconds.

5Add 140ml of crème fraîche to the pea and mint purée and pulse in the blender for a few seconds, just enough to mix.

6Serve into four warmed bowls. Add a large teaspoon of crème fraîche into the centre of each bowl as you serve or put it on the table for your guests to help themselves.

7For a special dish, make sure that the soup is piping hot and just before service add a large teaspoon of minted crème fraîche ice cream.

AND …

For a something a little different, dry fry or grill 4 slices Parma ham until crisp then chop and garnish the top of each bowl with the crispy Parma ham.