# Green Pea Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Dish
## Introduction
Immerse yourself in a bowl full of creamy, flavorful Green Pea Soup – the perfect antidote to those chilly nights. Warm, comforting, and indulgently creamy, it’s the embodiment of simple ingredients creating outstanding dishes.
## Why Make this Recipe
The Green Pea Soup recipe is simple, healthy, and it uses ordinary ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. Furthermore, it’s naturally gluten-free, and easy to make vegan; just use coconut milk instead of heavy cream.
## How to Make Green Pea Soup
### Ingredients
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
– 4 cups fresh or frozen green peas
– 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
– Croutons or crusty bread for serving
### Directions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute until aroma gets released.
3. Pour in broth, bring to a boil. Add peas, reduce heat, and simmer until peas are tender.
4. Turn off heat, puree the soup until it’s perfectly creamy and smooth.
5. Stir in cream or coconut milk and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot, garnish with fresh mint leaves and enjoy with croutons or a crunchy crusty bread on the side.
## How to Serve Green Pea Soup
For a touch of elegance, serve this green pea soup hot in a deep dish, garnished with fresh mint leaves. For a casual setting, serve it with crunchy croutons or a section of crusty bread to dip in.
## How to Store Green Pea Soup
Store leftover pea soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months.
## Tips to Make Green Pea Soup
– Using fresh peas give the soup a vibrant green color and a fresh flavor. However, frozen peas are also a great option.
– It’s important to puree the soup as smoothly as possible. Use an immersion blender for ease. If not, let the soup cool a bit before processing it in a standard blender.
– Feel free to adjust the amount of liquid as per your preferred consistency.
## Variations
– Add diced ham or cooked bacon bits to the soup for a non-vegetarian version
– Substitute mint leaves with fresh basil or thyme
– Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top for added depth
## FAQs
**Q: Can I use water instead of broth in this recipe?**
A: Yes, although broth enhances the taste and nutrition of the soup.
**Q: Can I use other types of peas instead of green peas?**
A: Yes, you can substitute with split peas or yellow peas, although the soup color and taste may vary.
**Q: Can I make this soup creamy without the cream or coconut milk?**
A: Yes, you can add a boiled and mashed potato, or a little bit of cornflour mix to thicken the soup.
Dive into a bowlful of this lush, comforting soup, and savor the fresh burst of flavors!