Italian Pea & Herb Soup
Submitted by brianjwood on March 17, 2007 at 6:54 am

DESCRIPTION
Italian Pea & Herb Soup

SUMMARY
Yield 0 File under Misc. Recipes & Requests

INSTRUCTIONS
A delightful soup at any time, but especially nice outdoors on a Summer lunch or dinner.
Cheers, Brian

5tbsp Olive Oil
2 large onions, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
14oz (3 1/2 Cups) Frozen petit pois
1.5pints (3 3/4 Cups) vegetable stock
1oz Fresh mint leaves, roughly torn, plus extra for garnish (for all the herbs).
1oz Fresh flat leaf parsley
1oz Fresh chives, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, shaved

Heat oil and add onions, celery, carrots and garlic and simmer very gently for 45 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the peas and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to simmer and add the mint, parsley and seasoning and simmer for around 10 mins. Process the soup (probably you will have to do it in batches) until it is very smooth and creamy. Return to the pan and bring to a simmer. Place in bowls, sprinkle on torn mint, parsley, chives and shaved parmesan, and serve with fresh baked crusty bread. I promise your friends will be knocked out by this soup, it is wonderful!

Variation, you can use basil instead of the above herbs but it isn't so nice.