Pea soup with caramelized shallots
How is everyone’s Christmas preparations going? All gifts packed?
I’d love to say mine are done, but alas, even with extensive preparations, some things still remain for the last minutes, but it wouldn’t be Christmas, without a little present stress, would it now?
As Christmas is just about here, I have an unlikely festive appetizer suggestion – pea soup! Does it sound overly simple for Christmas? It doesn’t have to be, as a few extra ingredients and plating make this an attractive start to a feast. Did I mention, it only takes 30 minutes to make?
If you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you’ll probably know that I like to caramelize just about anything, and this soup is no exception. Caramelized shallots add a crispy touch, while roasted garlic, well it makes everything taste better.
Roasted garlic can be made far in advance and stored in a fridge, and just added the last minute, otherwise with roasting it will take an hour to make. Enjoy!
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 shallots, peeled and quartered
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- knob of butter
- 250 grams peas (I’ve used frozen) 2 cups
- 1 cup chicken stock
- ½ cup cream
- 10 cloves roasted garlic
- salt
- freshly grounded pepper
- To roast garlic, heat the oven to 190 C (375F) cut the top of 2 garlic bulbs and place them on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and rub the outer skin. You can place a few rosemary and thyme springs on top, but that’s optional. Cover with aluminium foil and roast for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue to roast for another 10-20 minutes, until garlic is soft when squeezes and golden brown.
- For the soup, heat a dash of olive oil in a deep sauce pan, add shallots, season with salt and pepper and cook on medium high heat stirring often till the shallots start to caramelize (about 10-15 minutes).
- Add sugar and continue to cook for a few more minutes till the shallots are nicely brown.
- During the time shallots are caramelizing, in another heavy bottomed pot, heat a dash of olive oil and butter and cook onions until they have caramelized slightly. Add peas, stock, season with salt and pepper and bring to boil and cook for a few more minutes, stir in the cream and take of the heat.
- Pour everything into the blender add roasted garlic and blend until smooth. Taste, add more salt or pepper as needed.
- Divide between 4 small glasses, decorate with caramelized shallots and serve.
This would make a wonderful appetizer, I love the caramelized shallots!
What a cute and great idea. Love how you served it in a small glass and the caramelized shallots a perfect touch.
What a gorgeous photo of pea soup and those caramelized shallots are just calling out my name! Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing & thanks for the nice blog-visit! Happy Holidays!
Beautiful bright photos- your pea soup looks so fresh and delicious!
LOVE all that garlic…and such a beautiful, vibrant green soup! Perfect cups of yumminess! Thanks for all the food and photography inspiration throughout the year!
Pea soup shots are one of my very favourite canapé type foods. I love peas. I love the colour and I love nothing more than a big bowl of them for dinner when no one else is at home ( PS thats a secret) . Have a great Christmas and stay warm!
This soup sounds wonderful to me and festive looking. I could drink a bowl of this right now. Great recipe. I will definitely save this to try later.
This looks delicious, and I love those pics..very pretty and tempting!
Have a wonderful Holiday Season!!!
I love the look of your soup and how you’ve presented it. The colour is just wonderful. I always like to cook something simple on Christmas Eve and this would be just perfect xx
Gosh, I love the color in this! It’s gorgeous, and so appropriate for the season. I’m with you on caramelizing things – the flavor boost is incredible. Good recipe – thanks so much. I hope you have a happy holiday!
I think the color is great for Christmas food! And yumm…I agree, caramelized anything is always an added plus!
What a simply beautiful soup!
Happy New Year!
What a lovely appetizer. I love the way you served it as the color is so pretty…they look like green jewels.
Delightful recipe and gorgeously presented!