Pea and mint soup

Pea and mint soup

35 min
Our recipe for pea and mint soup captures the fresh flavours of sweet peas and fresh mint to create a comforting and refreshing soup. Whether enjoyed warm on a chilly day or as a chilled treat in the sunshine, this simple yet flavourful recipe boasts a smooth texture and is topped with crispy Parma ham for an enjoyable crunch.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/pea-and-mint-soup/

Instructions

  • Sauté onion in butter in a large pot.
  • Add potatoes and vegetable stock and bring the soup to a boil. Turn down to low heat and let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
  • Add peas and mint leaves and cook the soup over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes.
  • Blend the soup and bring it back to a boil. Add salt and pepper, and adjust the taste with lemon juice.
  • Place Parma ham on a sheet lined with baking paper and roast the ham in the oven at 225 °C for about 5 minutes until it is crispy.
  • Serve the soup with fresh peas, pea shoots and crispy Parma ham.
Enjoy!
Get perfectly crispy Parma ham

Bake the Parma ham until golden and crispy. Arrange the ham slices on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, ensuring they lie flat and do not overlap. Bake as the recipe suggests until they crisp up to your liking. This addition will add an enjoyable texture that contrasts beautifully with the smooth soup.

Adjust the consistency

If your pea and mint soup turns out too thick after blending, gradually add more vegetable stock until the consistency meets your preference. This is especially useful when reheating the soup, as it typically thickens after cooling.

Defrosting frozen peas

If you are defrosting your frozen peas, there are two ways to go about it. Place the peas in a sieve or colander and rinse under cold water to thaw them quickly and prepare them for immediate use. Alternatively, put them in a container in the fridge and let them thaw slowly. This prevents the peas from cooling your soup when you add them to the other ingredients.

FAQ: Questions about pea and mint soup

Our pea and mint soup is perfect for any season. Below, you will find answers to common questions that will help you prepare and serve this delightful soup.

How to store pea and mint soup?
To store the pea and mint soup, let it cool at room temperature first. Then, put it into a sealed container and refrigerate it, where it will stay good for up to 3 days. You can also put it in the freezer for about 3 months. Just make sure you are using a container that is suitable for freezing. Thaw it in the fridge overnight when you are ready to eat it and warm it up slowly on the stove.
Should I use fresh peas or frozen peas?
You can choose either fresh or frozen peas for this recipe. Fresh peas bring a natural sweetness but might need a bit more time to soften. Frozen peas, once defrosted, cook faster, offering convenience without sacrificing the flavour. Whether you go for the sweetness of fresh peas in season or the convenience of frozen peas, you will get a satisfying result.
What to serve with pea and mint soup?
Enjoy pea and mint soup with a slice of crusty bread, like a warm baguette or ciabatta. You could also serve it with a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, offering a refreshing contrast.

Ingredients

Onions, roughly chopped
3
Butter
15 g
Potatoes, cut into smaller pieces
225 g
Vegetable stock
1¼ l
Peas
500 g
Mint leaves
100 ml
Coarse salt
1 tsp
Lemon, juice
½
Topping
Parma ham
140 g
Fresh pea shoots
Freshly podded peas

Enjoy a stunning pea and mint soup

Gorgeous green colours shine from our stunning pea and mint soup. Our recipe features a wonderful balance of fresh, earthy, sweet, and minty flavours. The soup is blended to achieve a luscious and slightly creamy texture that keeps you coming back for more. Crispy, salty Parma ham adds the perfect finishing touch, while fresh pea shoots and shelled peas provide a final flourish to adorn the soup.

Enjoy a wide selection of green soups. Try our recipe for cold pea soup, creamy kale soup, or a refreshing cucumber soup. 

With potatoes and onion to enhance the soup base

The deep flavours in the pea and mint soup come not only from peas and mint but also from potatoes and onion. As they sauté in butter, the vegetables release their natural sugars, giving the soup a sweet and earthy base flavour. As a bonus, the potatoes also help add a velvety-smooth texture when blended.

Topped with crunchy Parma ham and fresh peas

Put the finishing touches on your pea and mint soup with tasty and colourful toppings. Crispy baked Parma ham adds a savoury crunch that contrasts with the smooth texture of the soup. We also garnish with tender fresh pea shoots and bright green freshly podded peas to highlight the pea flavour in the recipe.

A lovely green lunch or dinner

Enjoy our pea and mint soup as a lovely green lunch or dinner, perfect for any season. Whether served hot for cosy evenings or chilled for a refreshing option on warmer days, this dish adapts beautifully to your preferences. The smooth consistency and bright green colours make it an excellent starter or a standalone main dish. For a chilled version, cool quickly after cooking and refrigerate, adding a bit more vegetable stock if needed to maintain a smooth consistency. For a warm serving, gently heat the soup on the stove without boiling, offering comfort for a relaxing weekend lunch.

Play around with the flavour and the looks

Want to tweak the recipe a bit? Here is how you can do it! Alongside mint, try adding basil or tarragon for a different herbal note. Basil offers a sweet, peppery taste that complements the freshness of mint, while tarragon brings a slight anise-like sweetness that pairs well with the natural sweetness of peas.

Introduce some warmth with spices such as white pepper, cumin, or a pinch of cayenne. White pepper provides a sharp, earthy heat, making it ideal for subtly spicing up the soup without overwhelming the other flavours. Cumin adds a warm, nutty essence with slightly bitter undertones, while cayenne offers a fiery kick that can be adjusted to your liking.

For a richer texture, stir in some sweet coconut milk or tangy Greek yoghurt before serving. This addition can make the soup even more luxurious and smooth. Also, try topping it with homemade croutons, roasted seeds, or crispy fried onions for added texture.