Thursday, June 3, 2010

Spring Pea Soup and New Salad

This week I made a very very spring inspired vegetarian dinner for my husband and myself. We had eaten terribly all weekend and he was about to leave for a 4 day business trip and asked for something healthy.

So I saw this wonderful fresh light soup on Barefoot Contessa this week and thought it would be perfect. The mint really made it refreshing and was a little surprise of flavor. And of course Michael loves when I use the herbs from the yard he so dearly loves. Ina's recipe:
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 chopped leeks, white and light green parts
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen peas
  • 2/3 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup creme fraiche - but I used 2% Greek yogurt instead

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 about minutes, until the peas are tender. Off the heat, add the mint, salt, and pepper. You can use a stick blender or regular blender to then puree the soup. I topped each bowl with a big scoop of the Greek yogurt. It adds the substance you need to make this a main course.

Our big green salad was fresh organic mixed greens, thinly slided fennel, toasted walnuts (10 minutes at 400) and blueberries. Instead of making a vinaigrette, I simply tossed it with this amazing orange infused olive oil (thanks mom!) and red white vinegar. I love flavored oils and vinegars. So much better than bottled salad dressing and so many ways to use them. If you have not used fennel before, it looks like this:


I sliced the bulb part, not the green part. Very thin, like you would slice an onion. It has this great fresh anise flavor. We both loved it and I was happy we started off the week right.

Love,

Sam

2 comments:

  1. I saw Ina cook this while I was on the treadmill...I am glad to know that it turned out well for you. This is one that I will have try!

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  2. I love mint and peas, I'll have to try this one!

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