Printable Recipe: Green Pea and Bacon Soup Recipe

"Good Day to Ya" Green Pea and Bacon Soup

If you've got kids, the idea of pea soup probably isn't a big winner in your house. But this soup, made from green peas, is fresh-tasting, delicious, and a wonderful bright green color. This is the type of light, tasty dish that will have everybody at your St Patrick's Day party coming back for more-- even the kids.

This St Patricks Day food serves about 8 as a main dish, or 16 as an appetizer. If you want to serve this as a party food or appetizer, serve it up in pretty little glass cups-- it makes for a really nice presentation!

Ingredients:
1/2 C. chopped bacon
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 C. green onion, white and green parts, sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced
7 C. chicken stock
4 medium Yukon potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 C.)
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
6 C. frozen green peas, thawed (best with young, good-quality peas)
1 C. heavy cream (light works okay, too)
2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions: 1. Cook bacon pieces in a large saucepan over med-high heat until crisp. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Leave bacon drippings in pan.

2. To the drippings already in pan, add the butter and melt it over med heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter until tender.

3. Add stock. Allow to come to a boil, then stir in potatoes and red pepper flakes. Cover, lower heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

4. Stir in peas and simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

5. With an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth. (Or cool a bit and blend in batches in a traditional blender.)

6. Stir in the cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

7. Heat over medium until heated through. Stir in the lemon juice. Adjust seasonings as necessary.

8. Serve with your crisp bacon sprinkled on top of each serving. This St Patricks day food is great with a sprinkle of parsley and a dollop of sour cream, too.