Pea and Ham Soup Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 1 Large Onion
• 400g of Frozen Peas
• 3 Cups (750ml) of Stock (beef, ham or chicken)
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Freshly Ground Sea Salt
• 200g of Ham (fat removed)
• 100ml Light Sour Cream
• ½ Teaspoon of Freshly Grated Nutmeg

Method:

1. Peel and dice the onion
2. Thickly slice and then dice the ham removing any excess fat
3. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan
4. Add the diced onion and cook over a low heat until the onion softens (about 5 minutes)
5. Stir in the peas and the stock
6. Bring soup to a boil
7. Now reduce the heat, cover the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes
8. Lightly season with a little freshly ground sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
9. Simmer for another 60 seconds
10. Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes to cool a little
11. Use a food processor of blended to roughly puree soup in batches (roughly pureed means rough in texture rather than smooth in texture)
12. Return pureed soup to the saucepan
13. Add the diced ham
14. Cook soup until just below boiling and then remove from heat
15. Add the sour cream and stir gently until the sour cream has almost melted and serve

Serving:

• Ladle the pea and ham soup into soup bowls
• Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve
• Serve with soda bread or fingers of toasted wholegrain bread
• Serves 4