Summer in 20 Minutes

We call it Summer Soup, although its popularity in my house has stretched around the calendar.  Since it's simple and uses ingredients that freeze well, it's no trick to have it anytime.

Last summer I was searching for a way to feed green things to my two year old.  We had a new baby at home also, so I needed a FAST dish healthy and tasty enough that the weary, nutrient-starved parents would enjoy it, too.

       

Ready?

Onion, olive oil, peas, corn, spinach, water, salt. Optional gourmet additions: curry powder or coriander, fresh mint, lemon juice.
You'll need a blender and a saucepan 3-4 quarts in size minimum.

1. Rough-chop the onion while tickling the fussy baby with your toes.  Can't pick him up yet, as cutting takes 2 hands!
2. Sweat the onion in a little oil on the BACK burner of course.  Those front burners are just for show until the kids are asleep.
3. Five minutes gone! It's already 5:30, the meltdown is imminent.  Throw 1 pound of peas into the pot, with 8 oz each of corn and spinach.  Add water barely to float the peas, turn heat to high and toss in 2 teaspoons of salt and a tablespoon of ground coriander or curry if you have it.
4. Read a book to distract the kids, something short like: Barnyard Dance by Boynton.  Water boiling?
5. Shut the heat off, stir the vegetables.  Throw in a handful of fresh mint leaves.
6. Move the pot to a trivet. Throw in 1-2 cups ice cubes, let melt. More ice = faster finish and more soupy texture.
7. Puree in small batches in your blender.  (If the liquid still steams, BEWARE - see my related post on pureeing hot liquids safely)
8. Pour into a serving bowl, test for seasoning, adding a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, or more oil if desired. For extra points in this round, convince the older kid to help set the table. Maybe make some buttered toast, or put plain yogurt on the table for mixing in the soup.
9. Take a deep breath. . . and sit down with the kids to dinner.

Do they shovel it in until you have to correct their manners? Good work!

This soup is also delicious cold, especially if you puree it super smooth and run it through a fine strainer.

Read any of the excellent entries about green pea curries at One Hot Stove http://onehotstove.blogspot.com/ and marvel at how versatile these little vegetables are.