Fresh Pea and Mint Soup with Croûtons

Preparation Notes

*Can be vegan.

Ingredients

• 25g butter or vegan margarine
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 225g leeks finely shredded and washed, keeping as much of the green as possible
• 225g potatoes peeled and cut into small chunks
• 1200ml light vegetable stock (or use vegan bouillon powder)*
• 225g fresh or frozen peas (weight without pods)
• 1 small bunch of mint chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Single cream or soya cream *
• Mint sprigs, to garnish

Method

1. Melt the butter or vegan margerine in a saucepan and gently fry the onion until soft. Add the leaks and cook for a further five minutes.
2. Add the potatoes and stock, bring to the boil, then simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes. Add the peas and mint and simmer for five minutes.
3. Allow the soup to cool, then liquidize in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Return to a clean saucepan, reheat gently and season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Serve the soup garnished with a swirl of single cream (*or soya cream), a mint sprig and croûtons.
5. For the croûtons: mix the mint and the olive oil together and season. Brush the bread on both sides with the oil and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/gas mark 6 for 10~15 minutes, until crisp. Remove the crusts and cut into cubes.