It is January, we have been eating rich food most of December and now our…
Pea and lettuce soup
Pea and lettuce soup is a vibrant soup that is full of flavour which is perfect for any dull day.
January has arrived and it seems to be very grey and rainy. The rain seems endless, when I wake up it is raining, when I go to bed it is raining. It is so dark outside, it seems like the sun is a distant memory.
The fields are waterlogged outside and when I take the dog out he comes home looking bedraggled and muddy. He also looks really sorry for himself. I need to keep towels strategically positioned by the front door or he runs in and rolls all over the living room carpet covering it in mud.
My best buy in the January sales was a pair of wellies! At least now when I take him out my feet are dry. In January my thoughts always turn to losing weight, it is far to easy to eat too much over Christmas. This wet weather is not helpful, I tend to crave chocolate when it is wet. To help keep me full and warm I try to eat lots of soup in this weather. When it is cold and wet outside a bowl of soup is comforting, warming and filling.
This weekend I ended up with a lot of lettuce in my fridge. I am not quite sure how I managed it, I usually have a list when I go shopping. This takes account of what I have in stock so I don’t waste food. Somehow I managed to end up with six little gem lettuces. There is only so much lettuce you can use in sandwiches and salads for lunch. I wondered if it would be possible to make soup using the lettuce and decided to make a pea and lettuce soup. It turned out to be a good decision. The result was a light and tasty soup with a vibrant green colour that made me think of Spring. I could almost imagine the sun shining on the fields, lambs gambolling about and daffodils adding colour to the garden. It was the perfect antidote to a grey day.
It is the perfect soup for a light lunch, served with crusty bread or cheese and crackers. You could ring the changes by adding some mint leaves to make a slightly different taste or even a little bacon to make a heartier soup. It is also a great way to use up extra lettuce before it turns brown in the fridge.
Pea and lettuce soup
Pea and lettuce soup
Ingredients
- 25 g 1 oz butter
- 1 large onion
- 425 g 14 oz frozen peas
- 2 little gem lettuces
- 1 litre chicken stock
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Peel and chop the onion.
- Heat the butter in a pan and fry the onion gently until soft
- Chop the lettuce into small pieces and add to the pan with the peas, stock and lemon juice.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Blend in a food processor or blender until smooth.
If you are looking for more vibrant soups that make you think of Spring then this tomato and raspberry soup is ideal, the tang of the raspberry is the prefect accompaniment for the comforting tomato.
For a comforting warming soup that is low in calories and filling then lentil soup is perfect.
Joining in with the kitchen clearout linky on Madhouse Family Reviews as I managed to use up the excess of lettuce in my fridge.
Galina V says
That’s a lovely idea to use lettuce in soup. The soup looks so vibrant. I need to go on a diet too (once we finish all the festive chocolate, lol)
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Chocolate does not last long in our house so we have none left now!
Zoe at Splodz Blogz says
Soup is perfect for a cold dark winter evening. I make soup at home regularly for mid week dinners. Yum. Pea and lettuce soup is one of my favourites actually, although we haven’t had it recently so I’ll have to sort that out soon!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I would never have thought of using lettuce in soup before but it was a good decision
Cheryl Pasquier says
Lettuce is one of those things that often goes soggy before I can use it so this would be a great recipe to try. I must admit, I’m not overly sure about eating cooked lettuce but I’ll try anything once ! lol – Thanks for linking up xx
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It actually gives a lovely taste to the soup, making it feel really Spring like. Definitely a great way to use up lettuce
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen says
You are right, there is nothing more conforting than soup on a wet winter day. In Northern Italy they had 2 months without rain whereas in the UK is the exact opposite. What a funny climate we are having!Cannot wait for spring!
Love your soup, healthy and easy to make!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It really is strange weather. I hope we get some sunshine soon, its so grey and dreary
Colin Chambers says
Great recipe. Thanks for sharing. I love the new ideas you get when you try something out of the ordinary. I’ll have to try this recipe some time. I’ve got a similar challenge with cabbage at the momment so I’m looking for interesting ways of using it.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I am sure you can make cabbage soup. Cabbage is brilliant for freezing. I cook up a big batch and then put portions in freezer bags. It can then be microwaved or heated in a pan to go along side whatever meal you are having
Fiona JK42 says
Thanks for posting this recipe. I bought a load of lettuce as I wanted to try to eat salad to lose some weight, but salad is just not tempting in this weather. I shall make this soup instead.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Let me know what you think. You definitely need something warm in this weather
Angla / Only Crumbs Remain says
Wow, what a great idea to use the surplus lettuce in a soup. The colour is so vibrant (and actually my favourite colour), it looks so lovely.
The weather has been dreadful these past weeks hasn’t it, so dreary and way too wet!
Angela x
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It has been miserable. I really hope it changes soon
Rachna says
Such a vibrant colour of this soup came. I would love to try this for brunch. I really loved your blog’s name.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
It is a lovely vivid colour. Let me know if you try it, would love to know what you think