Minted pea and watercress soup

serves 4

preparation time:
15 minutes

cooking time:
20 minutes

ingredients

large bunch watercress, washed, stalks and leaves separated
300ml vegetable stock or water
500ml Alpro soya – an unsweetened dairy-free alternative to milk (or use milk)
3 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 medium potato, cubed
bunch fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
400g frozen peas

method

Chop the watercress stalks (reserving the leaves) and put into a small saucepan with the stock or water and soya milk, and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse.

Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion. Cook on a low heat until softened but not coloured.

Add the potato, stir, cover and cook until soft.

Add the mint and peas.

Strain the soya milk stock into the pan, discarding the watercress stalks, season and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the watercress leaves and turn off the heat.

Set a sieve over a heatproof bowl and drain the soup through it. Put the solids caught in the sieve into a blender with a little of the soup liquid and purée. Push this mixture through the sieve into the bowl with the back of a ladle and repeat with any solids left in the sieve. Discard any bits that won't pass through.

Serve warm, garnished with croutons, bacon bits and soya cream if you like.