Chilled pea and mint soup

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
6 large spring onions, washed and sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 rasher streaky bacon, chopped
500ml/18fl oz vegetable stock
675g/1lb 8oz shelled fresh or frozen peas
1 round lettuce, washed and chopped
large handful of freshly chopped mint
salt
freshly ground white pepper
To serve
4 tbsp lightly thickened double cream
fresh mint sprigs

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the spring onions, garlic, and bacon and gently cook for 5-7 minutes or until the spring onions are soft but not brown.
2. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Add the peas, bring back to the boil and reduce to simmering point. Stir in the
lettuce and mint. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until the peas are tender.
3. Blend the soup mixture in a liquidiser or hand blender until smooth. Season to taste. If using a liquidiser do not overfill your container and cool the soup mixture slightly before blending. Pour into a large bowl and allow to cool. Cover and chill for four hours or overnight.
4. To serve, spoon the soup into chilled soup bowls. Spoon a tablespoon of the cream into the soup and top with a sprig of mint before serving.