Recipe Information

• Servings: 4
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 150 g (5 oz) of leeks, white part only, sliced
• 400 g (14 oz) of fresh peas
• 200 g (7 oz) of floury potatoes (like Bintje), diced
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of butter
• 1.5 L (1.6 quarts) of veal or chicken broth
• 1 bouquet garni (a bundle of thyme, bay leaf, and parsley)
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of smoked bacon lardons
• 4 slices of bacon (breakfast style)
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 100 g (3.5 oz) of homemade croutons

Instructions

1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into small dices.
2. Wash the leeks and slice them into rounds.
3. Peel the garlic and roughly chop it.
4. Peel and finely slice the onions.
5. Cut the bacon into small lardons and sauté them in a little butter with the garlic. Add the onions and leeks and sweat them until soft without browning.
6. Add the peas (reserve a handful for garnish) and the diced potatoes, then add the bouquet garni and cover with the broth. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Bring to a simmer and cook covered for about 15 minutes (the potatoes need to be tender).
8. In a separate pan over medium heat, place the slices of bacon and allow them to crisp up, rendering out their fat. Reserve on paper towels to drain.
9. In the same pan, quickly sauté the reserved peas.
10. You can also roast the slices of bacon in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5 to 10 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.
11. Remove the bouquet garni and blend the soup until smooth. For an extra fine texture, strain the soup through a sieve.
12. Add the cream to the blended soup.
13. Serve the soup by distributing the sautéed peas and onions on top, place a slice of crispy bacon on the edge, and accompany with homemade croutons.

Notes

Feel free to adjust seasoning according to your preference. You can also substitute bacon with a vegetarian alternative if desired.

Recipe Tips

• For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
• Experiment with fresh herbs in the garnish for added flavor.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 320 | Protein: 10g | Carbohydrates: 40g | Fat: 15g

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen peas instead of fresh?
   Yes, frozen peas work well and save preparation time.
2. How do I store leftovers?
   Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. Can this soup be frozen?
   Yes, just ensure it’s properly cooled before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
4. Can I make this soup vegetarian?
   Absolutely! Just use vegetable broth and omit the bacon.
5. What can I serve with this soup?
   Crusty bread or a light salad pairs beautifully!