Fresh Pea Soup with Lemon Crème Fraîche

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Leake Estate in Arlington, Texas in 1982.
* Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
== Ingredients ==
* 4½ pounds fresh garden peas
* 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
* 10 green onions thinly sliced
* 2½ cups chicken stock
* 2 cups water
* ½ cup heavy cream
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
=== Lemon crème fraîche ===
* ½ cup crème fraîche
* 1 tablespoon milk
* ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
* 1½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
== Directions ==
# Shell the peas reserving 8 of the pods.
# Set the peas and pods aside.
# Have ready a large bowl of ice water in which a soup pot can be nested.
# In the soup pot over medium heat melt the butter then add green onions and cook stirring occasionally until soft about 5minutes.
# Increase heat to medium-high and add the peas, the reserved pods, chicken stock and water then bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until peas and pods are tender about 5 minutes then remove from heat and nest pot in bowl of ice water.
# Stir occasionally until cool about 20 minutes.
# Using a blender and working in batches purée the cooled pea mixture on high speed until smooth about 3 minutes per batch.
# Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean saucepan then stir in the cream and season to taste with salt and pepper.
=== Lemon crème fraîche ===
# In a bowl whisk together crème fraîche and enough of the milk to make a barely fluid mixture.
# Add the zest and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
# To serve place soup over medium heat and reheat to serving temperature.
# Ladle into warmed bowls and drizzle with lemon crème fraîche dividing evenly.
# Garnish with lemon zest and chive blossoms, if desired.
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Category:Cathy's Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes
Category:Crème fraîche Recipes
Category:Green onion Recipes
Category:Heavy cream Recipes
Category:Lemon juice Recipes
Category:Pea Recipes
Category:Soup Recipes