Pea & savory soup

• peas↗1 ¼kg kg

  in their pods

• butter↗50g g
• large onion↗1

  chopped

• 1 tbsp chopped summer savory tbsp
• single or double cream

  to serve (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Shell the peas, reserving about 12 pods, which you should wash thoroughly and top and tail.

2. 2

   Melt the butter in a saucepan, tip in the onion and gently fry for about 10 minutes. Throw in the peas, the 12 pods and the savory. Stir, then pour in 750ml/11⁄4 pints boiling water and bring to the boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until the peas are tender but still bright green.

3. 3

   Tip half the contents of the pan into a blender or food processor and whizz to a purée. Push the purée through a fine sieve into a clean pan (to eliminate stringy bits), then repeat with the other half of the soup. Stir and season to taste.

4. 4

   Gently reheat the soup, check the seasoning once more and serve with or without a swirl of cream.