Spicy Pea & Mint Soup
This is another classic, every-day staple for me. I wish I had the priveledge of getting through my university degrees with a Tesco Meal Deal at lunch time. Unfortunately, the Meal Deal options for gluten free veggies/pescatarians are virtually non-existent. My pea and mint soup has been a god-send. Easy to batch make, easy to freeze, inexpensive and great for a healthy, warming, non-stodgy lunch. Perfect alongside a homemade sandwich or crusty bread to dunk!
Recipe:
1 bag 500g frozen garden peas
1 medium white onion
1 tbsp oil (any oil- I tend to use either vegetable or avocado oil)
1 whole red chilli finely chopped (less or leave out if not keen on spice!)
2 vegetable stock cubes (low sodium/vegan preferably: Kallo ones are a great choice - https://www.kallo.com/things-we-make/products/8-organic-vegetable-stock-cubes/)
750ml boiling water (add more water if needed)
Salt and pepper to taste once blended
Fresh mint leaves (15-20g)
1 tsp mixed herbs
Squeeze of lemon juice
Method:
In a large, deep pan fry onion in oil till translucent, careful not to burn. Add finely chopped garlic and chilli, followed by frozen peas. Instantaneously add in your boiling water, along with stock cubes. Stir and keep heat up and let boil. Roughly chop and add in the mint leaves. (All of these ingredients can be chopped as roughly as you’d like – you will end up (par-)blending the soup anyways!)
Reduce the heat to mid-medium and let it simmer away, infusing all of that deiciousness. Add lemon juice and sprinkle of mixed herbs. Leave this on a low heat for around 2 hours if you have time – it will be ready before then, but tastes better the longer you wait!
Once satisfied, grab a blender and blend till you achieve your desired consistency. I like my soup still a little textured but relatively smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
For garnish: crème fraiche served over top grated with the zest of lemon and a sprinkle of salt and pepper is always a good idea. Alternatively, I also love doing a shaving of parmesan cheese and a glug of good olive oil.
Make a proper lunch of it with gluten free bread (Brown Seeded rolls from Morrisons like these — https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/morrisons-free-from-seeded-rolls/113836082?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-YC5zY8AcZFlMUulZUR867dr-y7c&utm_source=tradedoubler_Genie+Shopping+Network+UK+CSS&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=0&sprogram=246156&affiliateId=3039953&site_name=Genie+Shopping+Network+UK+CSS&tduid=1bd0b617b3c5f49704301d402bae89cf — are my favourite low calorie, low carb, low sugar option, or a few slices of this Schar Gluten Free Wholesome Seeded Loaf which is vegan friendly —https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/schar-gluten-free-wholesome-seeded-loaf/107621755?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmRZNBa2XONhpAJ8Kh6x-e61WAPy&gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXfTU1DcqoJW3ZrcmkeNmPOCYSxkobV9PNzrX5Y9lmfpeCVZNSrADJhoCZ-YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Chef's Notes: This is quite easily made to be a vegan soup without the big dollop of creme fraiche at the end. Skip that part out or a plant-based alternative - maybe a spoon of Alpro plain Greek style yoghurt could work — https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/alpro-plain-no-sugars-yoghurt-alternative/109645021?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-YC5zY8AcZFlMUulZUR867dr-y7c&utm_source=tradedoubler_Genie+Shopping+Network+UK+CSS&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=0&sprogram=246156&affiliateId=3039953&site_name=Genie+Shopping+Network+UK+CSS&tduid=1bd0b617b3c5f49704301d402bae89cf.
Also, this is a very yummy sauce for an orzo pasta dish...
Here it is:
Spicy Pea & Mint Orzo Pasta
Ingredients:
A few big spoon-fulls of the pea and mint soup that will act as a vibrant pasta sauce!
Gluten Free orzo pasta (Tesco has just launched their own GF Orzo!)
150ml boiling water
For garnish: Tbsp creme fraiche/ grated Parmesan cheese (both can be switched for PB/Vegan alternatives) Squeeze of lemon,
Salt and pepper to taste.
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