Fresh Pea Soup

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/fresh_pea_soup.html

From EatingWell:  May/June 1991

Soups like this play up the best qualities of peas, yet mask any falling-off from perfection.

8 servings, 1 cup each | Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen peas
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
• 6 cups Potato-Vegetable Stock, (recipe follows)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Minced raw leek, for garnish (optional)
• Pinch nutmeg

Preparation

1. Barely cover peas with lightly salted water in a saucepan, add tarragon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 2 to 5 minutes.
2. Remove 1 cup of the peas; set aside. Continue cooking the remaining peas until very tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. 3. Puree the peas in a food processor or blender with the reserved cooking water and return the mixture to the saucepan. Add stock and reserved peas.
3. Stir in buttermilk (if using) and pepper. Heat through. Garnish with a few curls of leek (if using) and a sprinkling of nutmeg.

Nutrition

Per serving : 58 Calories; 1 g Fat; 0 g Sat; 0 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 10 g Carbohydrates; 3 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 468 mg Sodium; 69 mg Potassium

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1/2 starch

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.