Mary Berry French Pea Soup
Mary Berry French Pea Soup
This recipe from Mary Berry features a light and flavorful French pea soup, perfect for a vegetarian meal. Fresh mint adds a delightful touch, and the simple ingredients make it a great weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 30 g (1 oz) butter
- 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 500 g (1 lb) frozen peas
- 1.25 litres (2 pints) vegetable or chicken stock
- 1/2 tsp caster sugar (can be substituted with granulated sugar)
- 2 large mint sprigs
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Shredded fresh mint, for garnish
How to make Mary Berry French Pea Soup
Prep (5 min):
- Melt butter in a saucepan, chop onion.
Sauté Onion (10 min):
- Add onion, cook gently for 10 minutes until soft.
Add Flour & Peas (2 min):
- Sprinkle flour, stir for 1-2 minutes. Add peas, stock, sugar, and mint sprigs.
Simmer & Purée (10 min):
- Bring to a boil, simmer covered for 5 minutes or until peas are soft. Discard mint sprigs, purée soup in a food processor or blender.
Season & Serve (5 min):
- Return soup to pan, reheat, season with salt and pepper. Serve hot garnished with fresh mint.
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 4-6
Nutrition Information (per serving)
- Calories: 179-119 (depending on butter amount)
Tips
- For a richer soup, use heavy cream instead of all water when rinsing the pan.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
- You can toast the flour in step 2 for a deeper flavor (roux).
- Reserve some peas before blending for a textural contrast.
Recommendations
This French pea soup pairs well with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Why People Love This Recipe
- Simple and quick to make with Mary Berry’s guidance
- Light and flavorful with fresh mint
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Perfect for a light lunch or weeknight meal
Variations & Substitutions
- Use vegetable broth for a vegan option.
- Add chopped cooked ham or bacon for a heartier soup.
- Substitute other fresh herbs like basil or tarragon for mint.
- For a richer soup, stir in parmesan cheese before serving.
Conclusion
Mary Berry’s French pea soup is a delicious and easy way to enjoy fresh flavors. With its focus on simplicity and quick preparation, it’s a perfect recipe for busy weeknights or a light lunch option.
People also asked questions and answers for Mary Berry French Pea Soup
Absolutely! Freeze leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months to enjoy a delicious and easy meal later.
Absolutely! Use 750g (1.5 lbs) of shelled fresh peas and adjust the cooking time as needed. Fresh peas may take a few extra minutes to cook until tender.
This recipe is quite versatile. You can add chopped carrots, celery, or potatoes for extra flavor and texture.
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock and omit the butter. You can add a drizzle of olive oil for sautéing the onions.
