Pea Soup


Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely sliced shallots (about 3)

1 clove garlic, chopped fine

1 pound shelled fresh sweet peas

1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

1/2 tablespoon salt

Pinch pepper

1/4 cup half and half or light cream

1 container creme fraiche

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in soup pot. Add shallots and garlic and cook over med. Heat until shallots are just wilted. Add 3 1/2 cups water, bring to boil, turn down heat and simmer for 1/2 hour.

Add peas, tarragon, salt and pepper and bring back to boil. Turn down heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temp. Purée in a blender in batches until very smooth or use an immersion blender. Force through fine sieve into clean pot, discarding small amount of pea skins left in sieve or use as is which is still rather smooth.

Stir in half and half and add salt if necessary to taste. Can be reheated and served hot or chilled and served cold. Serve with a small dollop of creme fraiche.