There’s been a spate of soup recipes appearing on my blog recently. I’ll tell you for why: because there’s nothing more comforting I would like to have for lunch during the week. Sure, a steaming bowl of cauliflower cheese would be a fantastic winter luncheon but that’s more effort than I am willing to put in for what is effectively the most rushed meal of the week. So instead I take a bit of time at the weekend and batch cook some soup, freeze it and reap the rewards in the weeks to come. This Smoked Pea and Potato Soup is probably one of my favourite soups of all; all the salty, smoky tang as if it had bacon or ham in but it’s vegan.
Ingredients
You will need (for four portions):
- 1 onion, diced
- Oil for cooking
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 600ml vegetable stock
- 350g frozen peas
- Sprig fresh mint
- 1/2 tbsp smoked salt
- Black pepper
Method
Add a little oil to a saucepan and add the onion, potato and garlic. Fry for 5-10 minutes until the onion is softened, you’ll need to stir it regularly to stop the potato from sticking.
Add the vegetable stock, bring to the boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Tip in the peas, smoked salt, a good bit of black pepper and the mint. Bring the pan back to a simmer and continue simmering for 5 minutes.
Remove the soup from the heat and the blend the soup. Leave the mint in if you like it extra minty or take it out before blending if you don’t.
If you want to eat it straight away return the soup to a low heat to ensure it’s warm and check the seasoning before serving. If you are freezing in then leave it to cool before diving between pots and popping in the freezer.
I’m not sure you can go wrong with peas and mint together, it’s such a classic. The smoked salt really adds an extra something to this soup; I love ham or bacon with pea soup but wanted to avoid using meat in this recipe. The potato not only thickens the soup but makes it more filling too. Vibrant in colour and flavour you can’t fail to be cheered up just looking at it. I’ve been particularly enjoying this smoked pea and potato soup with cheese and pickle sandwiches! What are your favourite freezer soups?
I have to try this. It sounds delicious. But perhaps I will add bacon after all. I’m a sucker for bacon.
Looks very creamy and delicious! Love smoked salt here.
I love that you use fresh peas for this… in the US, most pea soups are made with dried peas…
We eat a lot of soup at this time of the year! Comforting and filling, and SO tasty. This looks excellent — and I love the color of it. Thanks!
What a gorgeous soup and I love the colour and presentation!
oooh love that you used smoky salt to give it meaty vibes while keeping it vegan! it looks so creamy, and that color is beautiful.
I LOVE pea soups and yours looks amazing! I use to have smoked sea salt but ran out a while back, I can’t wait to find some more! I love the fact summer is around the corner but recipes like this make me happy it’s still cool outside. 🙂
I love soups and this looks absolutely delicious !!
i can never have too much soup, apparently! i’ve just made a pea soup too, but i didn’t have any mint and i was so sad! it was still pretty good, but mint would’ve made it better. 🙂
We just went through a major snow storm. Soup is more than welcomed! I could use a vat of it! Looks terrific.
OMG I love pea soup, why did I never think of throwing a smoky flavor!
Using smoked salt is inspired, great idea and a great soup.
Oooh! I’m really into smoky foods right now – love the smoked salt. Also, what a beautiful color, this is so appetizing and so easy! Thanks for the recipe!
Ohhhh this looks so delicious! I feel like that smokey flavor brings SO much more to a dish. It seriously mimicks the bacon flavor to a T! And potatoes pretty much just belong in everything. I love making soups because they make so much extra for lunches throughout the week!
Thanks for sharing this deliciousness!
I agree with you that lunch is always rushed, and a good batch of soup is an easy answer to that problem! The smoked salt here is super unique, and I’m craving a bowl of this one now. I might have to make it soon…it’s still really, really cold here!
Can’t wait to try this!