Chilled Minted Pea Soup: Summertime in a Bowl

This rich, creamy and refreshing Chilled Summer Soup is like summertime in a bowl. Peas and fresh mint come together as a perfect marriage that bursts with fabulous flavour, and the addition of light cream makes this delicious soup a refreshing starter to any meal. Wonderfully silky and smooth, it's also incredibly quick and easy to make — you'll be in and out of the kitchen within half an hour! The soup also transports easily. I often make it ahead of time when visiting friends for the weekend and simply store it in a plastic jug for the drive up north. When it's time to be served, I simply retrieve my jug from the refrigerator and discreetly pour the chilled soup into the bowls, and garnish with a little cream and fresh mint or chives.



Chilled Minted Pea Soup
Serves 8

2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely diced
2 lb frozen petits pois
5 cups chicken stock
2 handfuls of fresh mint, chopped
1 cup light cream, plus extra for garnish, if desired
1 pinch Maldon salt
1 pinch white ground pepper
Fresh mint or chopped chives, for garnish


Heat the butter in a saucepan and cook the onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Pour in the petit pois and add the chicken stock then simmer, uncovered, until the peas are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the mint and remove the sauce pan away from the heat. Pour the soup into a blender and purée until smooth. Drain through a sieve and discard the solids. Whisk in the cream, and season with salt and pepper. Chill well before serving.