Pea soup with mint cream

Fresh pea soup is a taste of summer – make it spectacular with a dollop of lime mint cream.

Preparation method

1. Heat a pan until hot, then add the butter and shallots and fry over a low heat for 2-3 minutes, until the shallots have softened but not coloured.

2. Add the peas and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

3. Allow the soup to cool for a few minutes, then carefully pour into a food processor and blend to a smooth purée. Return the soup to the saucepan.

4. Add 110ml/4fl oz of the cream, and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

5. Place the remaining cream into a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed.

6. Spoon the soup into serving bowls and add a spoonful of the lime and mint cream to the middle.

Required techniques

• Whipping cream by hand
• Zesting citrus fruit
• Knife skills: how to finely chop
• Zesting citrus fruit