Spring Pea Soup Mint (Printable version)

A smooth blend of sweet peas, fresh mint, and a creamy swirl, perfect for a light and fresh dish.

# List of ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 small leek, white and light green parts only, sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 4 cups fresh or frozen shelled peas
06 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Herbs & Seasoning

07 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - 4 tablespoons crème fraîche
11 - Zest of 1 lemon

# Directions:

01 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sliced leek, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent, ensuring they don't brown.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add peas and vegetable broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer. Fresh peas need 8-10 minutes; frozen peas require 5 minutes. Cook until peas are tender and bright green.
04 - Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in fresh mint leaves and let the soup cool slightly for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Using an immersion blender, purée the soup directly in the pan until completely smooth and velvety. For an even silkier texture, strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
06 - Season with sea salt and black pepper. Taste thoroughly and adjust seasoning as needed to achieve balanced flavor.
07 - Ladle hot soup into serving bowls. Top each portion with a dollop of crème fraîche, a sprinkle of lemon zest, and fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its ready in under 40 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy French restaurant
  • The contrast between silky soup and tangy crème fraîche makes every spoon exciting
  • You can make it with frozen peas in winter and pretend spring exists anyway
02 -
  • Overcooking the peas turns them dull and army-green instead of that gorgeous vibrant shade
  • The soup continues cooking after you remove it from heat, so slightly underdone is better than mushy
  • Adding mint before blending instead of after gives you a more integrated, subtle flavor
03 -
  • Reserve a handful of peas before blending and stir them in whole for texture
  • Chill the soup completely and serve it cold as a refreshing summer starter

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