This great, hot weather favorite is a winner! I serve it chilled in a number of variations and all work very well. As a canap in little shooters, or as a sauce for poached fish and chicken, you are sure to empress! Here is a soup served with pickled wild ramps, golden tomato sorbet and Ontarios first farmstead 40% cream. Bon Apptit!
Yield: 4
Directions for: Herbed Pea Soup
Ingredients
Herbed Pea Soup1 Tbsp olive oil
2 shallots (medium size) thinly sliced
1 clove garlic thinly sliced
1 inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
cup fresh fennel bulb thinly sliced
2 cup fresh shucked and blanched peas (or frozen works well)
2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
cup dry white wine
cup mixed fresh leaves of basil, mint, coriander, tarragon, parsley, dill and chervil
Salt and fresh ground white pepper to taste
Ramp Pickle12 trimmed ramp bulbs (Substitute with whites of baby leeks or pearl onions)
cup water
cup white wine or champagne vinegar
cup sugar
2 tsp salt
4 piece clove
1 tsp mustard seeds
tsp black pepper corn
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 fresh bay leaf
2 sprig fresh thyme
Directions
Herbed Pea Soup1. In a sauce pan (low heat) sweat shallot, ginger, fennel and garlic until tender and translucent. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Deglaze with white wine and reduce by 23.
3. Add stock to just cover ingredients in the pan.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add fresh herbs and blanched peas. (if using frozen keep them frozen up to this point and add them now) Frozen peas will actually cool the liquid down and help to keep the bright green colour.
6. Remove from heat and pure to a smooth velvety consistency with a food processor or bar blender.
7. Pass through a fine sieve and chill over ice until ready to serve. Adjust seasoning.
Ramp Pickle1. In a sauce pan bring all ingredients (except ramps) to a boil. Place ramps in a non reactive bowl and pour hot pickling liquid over them.
2. Let cool until room temperature and pickle for at least 24 hours before serving.
See more: Saute, North American, Vegetables, Soup, Fall, Party Favourites