This is a variation on split pea and ham soup. Minted peas make such a refreshing change and the soup is so quick to make. I love the colour too!

Ingredients

Stock

• 2 litres water
• 2 ham hocks
• 1 onion, washed, unpeeled and halved
• 2 stalks celery, trimmed
• 1 carrot, peeled
• 1 bouquet garni (see Cook's Tip)

Soup

• 50 grams butter
• 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed, peeled and roughly chopped
• 500 grams (about 3 medium sized) potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, trimmed and roughly chopped
• 750 gram packet frozen minted peas
• ½ finely chopped celery leaves

To garnish

• sour cream, celery leavess

Method

Stock

1. In a large saucepan put the water, ham hock, onion, roughly chopped celery and carrot and the bouquet garni. Simmer gently for 1½ hours.
2. Strain reserving both the stock and the ham hocks. Discard the vegetables.

Soup

1. Heat the butter in the clean stockpot and cook the onion and garlic over a moderate heat for about 5 minutes until the onion has softened.
2. Add the potatoes, celery and reserved stock and simmer gently for about 20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked.
3. Add the peas and simmer for a further 3-4 minutes.
4. Puree the soup in a food processor or blender. Do this in batches and make sure you know the maximum liquid level in your food processor so you do not have any accidents.
5. Return the soup to the saucepan. Remove the meat from the ham hocks, discarding the skin, any fat and bones. Chop the meat finely and add to the soup with the celery leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with sour cream and celery leaves.

Serving Suggestion

1. To make crispy pesto bread slices, thinly slice a French stick with a long diagonal cuts. Smother with pesto and grill until golden.

Cooks Tips

Bouquet garni is French for a small bundle of herbs used for flavouring. A bouquet garni always includes a bay leaf and sprigs of thyme and parsley. It may also include a piece of celery or leek. The herbs are tied together with strong or cotton.