Pea Soup with Spicy Sprinkle

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19 July 2016 BY Julie Biuso
SERVES: 4

Layers of flavour are created quickly in this soup, but the crowning glory is the thick creamy yoghurt which melts into the soup and its sprinkle of spice. Perfect for cold nights, and quick to make, but, and this is what makes the soup interesting, a small snifter served in sweltering weather is also a winner.

Ingredients

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1 cup plain unsweetened yoghurt 1 large onion, peeled and sliced 1 Tbsp finely grated peeled ginger 1 Tbsp butter ¾ tsp salt ¼ tsp turmeric ½ tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp chilli powder 4 cups frozen baby peas 4 cups light stock 12 large fresh mint leaves Spicy sprinkle 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1-2 tiny finely crushed bird’s eye chillies Finely grated zest 1 lemon ½ tsp freshly ground coriander seeds 1 Tbsp butter

Method

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1 Line a sieve with a piece of paper towel, set it over a bowl and pour in yoghurt. Leave to drain for 3-4 hours, until creamy and thick.

2 Put peas in a sieve and rinse with hot water until the icy crystals are washed off.

3 Put onion and ginger in a saucepan with butter and 1 teaspoon water. Cover with a lid and cook gently, for 7-10 minutes, until softened and lightly coloured; keep heat gentle or it will taste harsh. Add salt, turmeric, cumin and chilli powder. Cook through for 30 seconds, then add peas and stock. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat and cook gently for 30 minutes, partially covered with a lid.

Pea soup – serve with cubes of toasted grainy bread to make it more substantial

4 When soup is ready, remove lid and leave it to cool for 10 minutes. Blend in a liquidizer or food processor with mint, blending most of the solid matter first, then adding as much liquid as necessary to bring it to a soup-like consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Return to cleaned pan and reheat.

4 To make the spicy sprinkle, sizzle ingredients in butter for 2-3 minutes. Spoon soup into cups or bowls and add blobs of drained yogurt. Put a dollop of sizzled spice mixture on top of each and serve immediately.