Dreamy Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
A vibrant and elegant soup that tastes like spring in a bowl. This luxuriously smooth, velvety soup pairs sweet peas with fresh mint for a bright, refreshing flavor, made creamy with coconut milk for a delightful vegan meal.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- High-powered blender or immersion blender
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped shallots and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the entire bag of frozen peas directly to the pot.
- Return the soup to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, just until the peas are tender and bright green.
- Remove the pot from the heat completely. Add the packed fresh mint leaves and stir them in. Let the pot sit off the heat for 5-10 minutes to allow the mint to infuse its flavor.
- Carefully transfer the soup to a high-powered blender (or use an immersion blender in the pot). Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until the soup is completely smooth and velvety. Work in batches if necessary, venting the lid to let steam escape.
- Return the blended soup to the pot over low heat. Stir in the full-fat coconut milk and gently heat through. Do not let the soup boil.
- Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper until the flavors are balanced.
Notes
For the best result, use frozen peas as they provide a vibrant green color and consistent sweetness. The most crucial step is to add the mint off the heat to prevent it from turning bitter. For variations, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for brightness, or a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle heat. This soup is delicious served warm or chilled, and can be garnished with a swirl of olive oil, croutons, or extra mint leaves.