Fresh English Pea Soup Recipe
This Fresh English Pea Soup Recipe is a yummy comfort soup, made with fresh cilantro, delicious served with a piece of hot, crunchy bread.
Happy January, Friends!
A few weeks ago, I spotted a bag of shelled English peas at our local Costco.
The memory of peas for me goes back to 4th grade, as we were gathered around our family table with a well-balanced meal cooked by my mother (she always included a vegetable, although many times they were a little over-cooked).
Our meal started off every night with a family prayer.
The next thing that happened was a little embarrassing to me at the time.
In my 10-year-old state of mind, and looking back, being rather cocky, I had the bowl of peas in one hand and was teasing everyone as the bowl was circling the table, above the other foods, Anyone want peas? Anyone want peas?
And then you guessed it.
The bowl of peas was dropped and peas went everywhere … everywhere … and my Dad was not happy. I was scared to death as I saw thousands of little peas rolling around on the dining room floor.
I was not sent to my room without dinner, but I’m sure I had to do the dishes that night.
I never forget this story when I think of peas. :)
Fresh English Pea Soup Recipe
Today I’m sharing my version of Fresh English Pea Soup Recipe, made with fresh cilantro (so good), a soup that my kids love!
Here’s the simple process:
You’ll find these shelled peas at Costco (or Trader Joe’s).
Make a pot for your family, or double the recipe and invite friends or neighbors over for a bowl, with a hot piece of crunchy bread!
What’s your memory of “peas” as a child?
Get the Recipe:
Fresh English Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh English Peas, shelled
- 1 large shallot, finely diced (about 3-4 Tablespoons)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- Salt to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- Cilantro, chopped
- Sour cream, optional
Instructions
- In a Dutch Oven, heat the olive oil and butter until melted; add the shallots and cook until tender, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.
- Add 6 cups of the peas.
- Add chicken stock.
- Cover the pot; cook for about 10-12 minutes, over medium heat until the peas are tender, but not mushy.
- Puree the pea mixture in batches in a blender. (Be careful, as it is hot.)
- Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Taste and season as necessary.
- Chop cilantro, or your favorite herb, and sprinkle on top. You can also put a dab of sour cream in each bowl.
- Serve.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
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I hated soup growing up. But pea soup I did love and was my favorite. Still enjoy this soup. Very good for you and high in fiber. Love your recipe.
My grandma used to make a killer split pea w/ham soup. My husband makes a wonderful version, too. My kids will always have memories of picking peas in the garden with their grandpa (my dad, who passed away last August) and eating them right out of their pods. That’s the only reason he grew them. :) Wonderful memories.
My childhood memory is throwing up when I ate them. :) Not the memory you were probably going for, but I’m keeping it real and honest.
Funny to see you write about peas today. I made a big pot of split pea soup using a ham bone left over from a baked ham dinner we enjoy the other day. I have to admit yours is prettier but we will enjoy ours never the less. Love fresh peas from the garden and I use mostly frozen ones fixed simply with salt, pepper and butter. Hope to see some fresh peas soon, what a treat!
Does white pepper really taste different or is it more about not having black specks in your food? I saw white and red etc. peppercorns at the store the other day and was wondering.
I LOVE PEAS! We always had peas on the table growing up. My mom grew them in our garden. We also always had them in the freezer to throw into soups and stews. I especially like them with a little butter, salt, pepper Voila dinner ; ) Sandy come by and share in my Meals 4 Sharing link up this Friday!!!
As a kid peas were my absolute favorite! I would eat all my siblings servings of peas too then one day I couldn’t eat them anymore. As an adult I only eat them when they are in chinese fried rice =).
I’ve only had pea soup once and that was at a friend’s house. My memory of peas is along side my favorite pot roast that my mom made, with mashed potatoes and gravy. Loved it. I use frozen too and I’ve never seen those at Costco. I’ll keep an eye out for them though because that soup looks amazing.
Hi Sandy,
What a delight to find your post in my e-mail today! I am so happy I signed-up for this yesterday. I should have done it ages ago!
Love your post about fresh peas but I must confess…I use frozen! LOL!!! As a matter fact, I have about 4 bags of frozen petite peas in my freezer right now. Julia Child would be horrified. I remember reading one her cookbooks where she expressed her disdain for folks who would run to the frozen food section to “stock-up” on peas when there were beautiful fresh ones in the produce section. But as least Nigella Lawson would approve who has confessed that one of her indulgences is frozen peas. LOL!!!
For memories of peas – I have to confess nothing really stands out other than I loved them hot with butter and salt. But my husband has memories of mushy canned peas that almost looked grey. He had to eat them one night for dinner and then – hmmm…not sure there is any nice way to say this – threw-up! When we got married I did not know this and served peas along with a dinner of rice and salmon. When I said we were having peas he literally turned green! LOL!!! Well, God bless him – – – he gave them a try. Luckily they were frozen peas and still looked green when cooked, not grey…and I topped them with a good pat of butter and lots of sea salt. He was surprised to discover they weren’t half bad…but he didn’t take more than a tablespoon. No need to push his luck! LOL!!!
In any event, your recipe has arrived just in time. Albeit, I will be making it with frozen peas…it’s perfect for lunch today as it has been raining here (in our other wise drought stricken Texas) since yesterday. I can think of nothing nicer than a bowl of warm pea soup for lunch by the fire.
Have a great day.
Love,
Mary
I remember my favorite meal as a child was shake and bake chicken legs, stove top stuffing, and canned peas. (My mother wasn’t a very creative cook.) I still love canned peas — yes, mushy and overcooked — better than even fresh peas. As a child, that was the only vegetable I’d ever eat. I’m much more adventurous now, and my boys hate peas all together, but I still love me some canned peas.
My grandparents in Ideeho always grew the most amazing garden. If we didn’t devour all of the peas and raspberries before bringing them back inside for grandma, she would make Creamed Peas for us. I know the two main ingredients are peas and potatoes (it’s Ideeho!). But I’m sure there was a lot of love in there as well. And perhaps a little cream…
I can’t even look a pea in the eye anymore without thinking of grandma. I can’t believe she’s been gone eleven years.
Canned, mushy, overcooked – that’s the peas of my childhood. In fact I never even knew that peas could be bought fresh until I was an adult. We didn’t even have frozen ones – which in my mind are tons better than canned.
But I fixed that, now there’s fresh peas whenever I get them. Have a wonderful recipe for crostini with smashed peas and parmesan – must post about that once peas are in season here.
It’s only 7:30AM and once i saw your pea soup i am now craving a bowl! oh my goodness it looks fantastic! My childhood pea soup memory is being in 7th grade and my friend’s dad just passed away…it was now the first holiday season without her dad and her Mom wanted to do something special, She bought tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet and invited me along…just the three of us. On our way to the ballet we stopped at Mrs. Anderson’s a dutch restaurant that was in the shape of a windmill…. i had never liked peas or peas soup for that matter… at the restaurant that was what her mom ordered for us Pea soup….it had been a family favorite of theirs…i could not tell them i didn’t like it so i said of course that would be great. I still remember the first bite how delicious it was and was shocked and from then on I fell in love with Pea soup. I remember coming home and being more excited to tell my mom about the soup then the ballet!
thanks for the trip down memory lane, have a great day,
Lulu
I have always loved peas, but never was a fan of pea soup. Let’s just suffice it to say, my most vivid memory is one of my brother (after being told he HAD to at least try the peas by my parents-picky-picky eater)…I’ll leave it at-they never made him eat them again!!!