Let this delicious and nutritious soup warm your bones this weekend …
This recipe is a reminder of how good pea soup is. Peas are usually relegated to children’s dinners, sitting sadly next to potato waffles and fish fingers, and somehow get forgotten when it comes to adult meals.
They are one of the cheapest things you can buy in the shop and I’d bet every single one of you has a bag shoved in the back of your freezer. I’ve made this four times this month, it has been the perfect dish for when I get home late from a shoot or flight. So, here I am, making pea soup “cool” and of course, putting cottage cheese on it. @kittycoles
PEA, GREENS AND COTTAGE CHEESE SOUP
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the soup
Olive oil
1 leek, finely sliced
1 onion, finely chopped
2 celery sticks, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
About 1 litre water
1 bay leaf
Parsley stalks and/or a handful of chives (save the leaves for serving)
A small Parmesan rind
A large handful of chopped cavolo nero (or spinach, chard, or any soft greens)
200 to 300g frozen peas
2 heaped tbsp cottage cheese
Salt and black pepper
To serve
Cooked spelt or pearl barley
Cottage cheese
Extra virgin olive oil
Chopped herbs (parsley, chives, or whatever you’ve got. Mint is excellent)
Lemon
Ham hock or shredded chicken (optional)
Method
1. Add a good glug of olive oil to a large saucepan and gently sweat the leek, onion, celery and garlic with a pinch of salt for 10-15 minutes, until soft and sweet but with no colour.
2. Pour in the water, then add the bay leaf, parsley stalks and Parmesan rind. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes or up to an hour if you’ve got time.
3. Fish out the bay leaf and Parmesan rind.
4. Add the chopped greens and peas and simmer for just 2-3 minutes, keeping everything bright and green. If you want it thinner just add a little more water.
5. Add a few heaped spoonfuls of cottage cheese, then blitz until smooth. Taste and season generously.
To serve
1. Spoon into bowls and top with your choice of:
A scoop of cooked spelt or barley
An extra dollop of cottage cheese
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs
A squeeze of lemon
Ham hock or shredded chicken, if you like
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