Recipe
Spring Pea & Mint Soup
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Serves: 8
This soup is bright green, like early spring leaves thanks to the mint, peas and baby spinach. Make this simple and delicious soup to boost you intake of nutrient rich, dark green vegetables. Use any spring green such as kale or sorrel in combination, or in place of, the spinach.
Contributed By: Developed for CFC by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc
Ingredients
2 cups (500 mL)
chicken breast(s), chopped (leftover or deli roasted)
2
qt low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups (500 mL)
leek(s), fresh, sliced
1 tbsp (15 mL)
butter
1 tbsp (15 mL)
olive oil
2 tbsp (30 mL)
mint, fresh, minced
2 tbsp (30 mL)
lemon juice, fresh
4 cups (1 L)
green peas, frozen
2 cups (500 mL)
baby spinach, fresh
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
black pepper, freshly ground
8
sprigs mint, fresh (optional garnish)
1/4 cup (60 mL)
chives, fresh, sliced (optional garnish)
Instructions
1
Cut cooked chicken into bite size pieces. Set aside with chicken broth.
2
Slice leeks to make two cups (500 mL) using all of the white and some of the green.
3
Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add sliced leek and minced mint and sauté until translucent – about 3 minutes.
4
Pour in chicken broth, fresh squeezed lemon juice and the frozen green peas. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
5
Add chopped chicken and baby spinach and simmer 3-5 minutes until spinach has turned bright green. Season with salt and pepper. If you use a home-made broth you may need less, or no, salt. You can also add more fresh lemon at this point to suit your taste.
6
To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a sprinkle of sliced chives.