Green Pea Soup With Tarragon And Pea Sprouts Recipes

THATBOBBIEGIRL'S BETTER-THAN-CAMPBELLS GREEN PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Combine everything in a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid (use one that holds at least 6 quarts).
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until peas are tender and soup reaches desired thickness.
• Puree in blender, or in the soup pot using a handheld stick blender (I love those things!) Re-heat if needed, over very low heat.
• I have slow-cooked this in a crockpot, but was not happy with the results.
• I did it just until the peas were done, but my husband and I agreed it tasted way overcooked, and even adding lemon juice didn't help much.
• Stove-top cooking just until the peas are tender gives this a much fresher taste.
• My family loves this served with freshly baked homemade bread and a tossed salad.
• VEGETARIANS: As is, this is not vegetarian, you can make it so, by substituting salt or a vegetarian bouillon for the chicken bouillon.
• LOW SALT DIETS: This is what I've done this for my mother in law who can't have salt: eliminate chicken bouillon, and add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste.
• Usually about one lemon does it, but it depends on the size of the lemon.
• I recommend adding a bit of lemon if you're not salt-restricted, along with the bouillon- it's truly wonderful.

TARRAGON PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pan overmedium low heat. Add the onion, leeks, and rice. Cover and cook stirring accasionally for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
• Add he peas, water, bouillin cube, and arragon and bring just to a boil. Season a little pepper. Cover an simmer gently occasionally stirring for about 35 minutes until the vegetables are very tender.
• Let the soup cool slihtly, then transfer to a blender or food processor and process to a smooth puree in batches if necessary. (If using a food processor strain of the coooking liquid and preserve. Puree the soup solids with enough cooking liquid to moisture them, then combine with the remining liquid.)
• Return the soup to the pan. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Gently reheat the soup over low heat for about 10 minutes until hot.
• Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with hard cooked egg or crootons.

FRESH PEA SOUP WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• In a saucepan cook onion in butter, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, or until tender. Add peas and broth and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes, or until peas are tender. Stir in tarragon.
• In a blender purée soup until smooth and pour through a coarse sieve back into pan. Heat soup over moderate heat until hot and remove pan from heat. Add white pepper and salt to taste and stir in all but 2 teaspoons buttermilk.
• Divide soup between 2 bowls and gently spoon half of remaining buttermilk onto each serving.

CHILLED PEA AND TARRAGON SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually mix in broth. Add peas and chopped tarragon. Simmer until peas are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain peas, reserving broth. Puree peas in processor. Add 1/2 cup broth and puree until smooth. Gradually blend in remaining broth. Transfer to medium bowl and refrigerate until well chilled. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
• Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls. Garnish each with small amount of crème fraîche and tarragon leaves and serve.