Green Pea and Lettuce Soup

Submitted by: Allison McNeil	Country: Canada
Category: Home/Soups & Creams
Quantity: 8 servings	Preparation time: 0:15 hr. Cooking time: 0:40 hr.

Ingredients

1/4 cup	butter	50 mL
1/2 cup	finely chopped onions	125 mL
1 tsp	salt	5 mL
	freshly ground pepper
3 tsp	all-purpose flour	50 mL
7 cups	chicken stock	1.75 L
1	head Boston lettuce, shredded	1
10	spinach leaves, shredded	10
5 cups	fresh or frozen small peas	1.25 L
1/2 tsp	granulated sugar	3 mL
1 cup	whipping cream	250 mL

Directions

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and cook onions, until translucent, stirring frequently. Stir in salt, pepper to taste, and the flour, and over low heat, continue striring for 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock. Add shredded lettuce and spinach, and 4 cups/1 L of the peas. Bring to boil; cover, reduce heat to simmer and cook 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook remaining peas until barely tender in small quantity of salted water; drain and set aside.

Purée soup in blender and transfer to clean saucepan. Stir in cream; taste and adjust seasoning. Add whole peas and serve.

Chef's Note

For easy entertaining, this soup can be made ahead and refrigerated.