*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                          "Fresh" Green Pea Soup

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 4    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Soups

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      tablespoon    Oil
   2      tablespoons   Butter
   1      slice         Smoked ham
   1                    Onion -- medium
   2                    Leeks -- large
   4      cans          Chicken broth
   2      pounds        Frozen peas
                        Chervil
                        Salt
                        Pepper
                        Heavy cream


Cut the ham up into bite-sized cubes. Melt the butter in the oil in a 3 to 4 quar
t soup pot and add the ham cubes when the butter and oil are hot.
Cook, stirring rapidly, until the ham is lightly browned. Remove the ham and coarsely
 chop the onions and leeks, add to the pot. Cook until soft, without browning, and add
 the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and add the peas. There should be enough liquid to
 cover the peas by more than an inch.
Cover and just barely boil until the peas are quite tender. Run the peas through a food mill.
 Return to the pot. Add the ham cubes, salt and pepper, if needed, and some chervil - a small amount,
 you can add more later if you want a stronger flavor. Cover and just barely boil for about ten minutes.
Allow to cool below boiling. Pour off as much as you're going to eat at this time, add some
 heavy cream until the soup becomes a little lighter.
Return to heat but do not boil. Quite good with (croutons) made at home or store-bought
 but toasted before using.

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