Pea Soup with Mint

Pea and Mint Soup Recipe: Freshness and Flavor in Every Spoonful

This soup combines the natural sweetness of fresh peas with a refreshing touch of mint, creating a light and comforting dish. Perfect for cool days or for those looking for a healthy and easy-to-prepare option in home cooking. Its simple preparation and accessible ingredients make it ideal for beginners and experienced cooks.

Preparation time

To organize your time in the kitchen and make the most of each step, here are the details:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 20 minutes
• Total: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the soup

• 5 spring onions, finely chopped (including stem)
• 2 small carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 4 ½ cups of chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh shelled peas
• 4 tablespoons of mint leaves, washed and disinfected
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice

To serve

• 3 tablespoons blanched peas
• 2 tablespoons of chopped mint leaves
• A pinch of ground black pepper

If you don't have chicken broth on hand, you can substitute it with homemade vegetable broth or bouillon cubes from recognized brands like Knorr o Maggi, which add flavor without additional complications.

Utensils we will use

• Medium pot
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Food processor or blender (you can use a common jar blender if you don't have a food processor)
• Strainer for blanching the peas
• Semi-deep plates for serving

Preparation

1. Prepare the base vegetables

1. Clean and chop the spring onions: Wash under cold running water the spring onions including their stems to take advantage of all their flavor and aroma. Chop them finely so they integrate well into the soup.
2. Peel the carrots and cut them into small cubes: By making uniform cubes, you ensure even cooking and a pleasant texture in the soup.
3. Crush the garlic clove: This will help release their oils and bring an intense but balanced aroma to the stew.

2. Cook the soup base

1. Heat the broth in the pot: Pour the 4 ½ cups of chicken broth into a medium pot and heat over high heat until it begins to boil.
2. Add the onion, carrot, and garlic: Incorporate these ingredients and reduce the heat to medium-low. It is important to cook at a gentle simmer so that the vegetables soften without losing flavor.
3. Boil for 15 minutes or until the carrots are completely soft when pricked with a fork.

3. Cook the peas

1. Incorporate the fresh peas: Add the two cups of shelled peas to the pot and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. This short time prevents them from losing their vibrant green color and natural sweet flavor.
2. Blanch a portion of these peas for garnish: Boil water in a container, introduce the peas for a few minutes and remove them so they maintain texture and color for presentation.

4. Incorporate the mint and season

1. Remove the pot from the heat and add the mint: Add the mint leaves so they infuse their freshness without overcooking and losing their aroma.
2. Add the salt and lemon juice: These ingredients enhance the flavor and balance the sweet and fresh combination.

5. Process the soup

1. Let the mixture cool down a bit: So that the blender doesn't suffer and the flavors integrate without overheating.
2. Blend until a uniform and smooth texture is obtained: Use a common blender or food processor. If you prefer a more rustic texture, only process a little.
3. Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust salt or lemon if necessary.

To finish and serve

Serve the soup in semi-deep bowls and decorate with blanched peas, chopped mint leaves and a pinch of ground black pepper for an aromatic and visual touch that elevates the dish. This soup is best enjoyed hot, but can also be served warm when looking for something light.

I want to share these tips for a perfect pea and mint soup

• Use fresh peas when in season: They have more flavor and a more tender texture than frozen ones.
• If using store-bought broth, choose natural options: Brands like Gallina Blanca o La Costeña offer quality broths to enhance your soup.
• Blanching the peas for decoration helps: It maintains their intense color and provides a visual and textural contrast.
• Do not overcook the mint: We add it at the end to preserve its freshness and avoid bitterness.
• Taste and adjust the lemon at the end: This detail enhances the other flavors and brings brightness to the dish.
• For a vegan version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth: Here, brands like Herdez o Goya that have natural options.

Nutritional Information per serving

• Calories: 120 kcal
• Proteins: 6 g
• Fats: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g

These values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.

5 keys to make Pea and Mint Soup perfect

• Key 1 – Choose fresh peas: By buying them fresh, you ensure sweet flavor and firm texture. Avoid dry or very old ones.
• Key 2 – Control cooking time: Prolonged cooking can make peas bitter and lose their vibrant green color. Five minutes are enough.
• Key 3 – Add the mint at the end: This prevents its flavor from being lost or becoming unpleasant.
• Key 4 – Use a good base broth: Broth naturally enhances soup. You can prepare a homemade one with quality brands like Carmencita if you want a special touch.
• Key 5 – Blanching for decoration: This technique highlights freshness and color for an appetizing presentation.

When is it ideal to enjoy Pea and Mint Soup?

This soup is perfect for enjoying on cool days or when you're looking for a light dish after hearty meals. Its freshness and smoothness make it a fantastic option to start a family meal, accompany a quiet celebration, or even for a nutritious and comforting lunch. Thanks to its simple preparation, it's also suitable for showing off at impromptu lunches without complications.

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Frequently asked questions about pea and mint soup

Share your experience with Pea and Mint Soup

Have you already prepared this soup? Tell us how it turned out, if you followed the tips or if you tried any variations. Cooking is for experimenting and sharing special moments with those of us who enjoy preparing and eating good food. Leave your comment and don't hesitate to share your tricks and personal touches for this recipe!

Culinary glossary for Pea and Mint Soup

• Blanch: Technique that consists of submerging food in boiling water for a short time to preserve its color and texture.
• Cambray: Type of small onion, similar to a green onion, with a thin stem and mild flavor.
• Food processor: Appliance that allows ingredients to be crushed and mixed to obtain fine or uniform textures.
• Peas: Fresh peas, sweet-flavored legumes used in soups, stews, and salads.
• Lemon juice: Juice extracted from lemon that adds acidity, brightness, and freshness to dishes.