Delectable smooth soup, high in fibre and folic acid
Cook:45 mins – 1 hr
Serves 4
1 onion, chopped1 stick of celery, thinly sliced25g butter2 tbsp risotto or pudding rice1 generous sprig of summer savory or thyme350g shelled broad bean (about 1.3kg/3lb before podding)1l chicken or vegetable stock, plus about 100ml/3½oz more of needed100g shelled pea (about 350g/12oz before podding)
STEP 1Fry the onion and celery gently in the butter in a covered saucepan over a low heat for about 10 minutes until very tender. Tip in the rice, add the savory or thyme and cook for another minute, uncovered. Now add the broad beans, pour in 1 litre/13⁄4 pints stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, simmer for about 5 minutes, then tip in the peas and cook for a further 5 minutes, by which time the rice will be tender.STEP 2Remove the herb sprig and purée the soup in batches in a blender or food processor, then return to the rinsed-out pan. (If you’ve got a hand blender, use it in the pan.)STEP 3Shortly before serving, reheat the soup thoroughly and add more stock if the consistency is too thick for your liking. Take the pan off the heat and stir in 1 tbsp of the yogurt and the chopped mint. Continue to stir in the yogurt, 1 tbsp at a time, until it’s all incorporated. Taste for seasoning, then serve in warmed bowls with an extra spoonful of yogurt stirred into each and a grinding of black pepper on top.
