After an hour in the garden today I was frozen, my fingers were like blocks of ice despite the cutting, dragging and digging. I love time in the garden, it’s like a little meditation, great for clearing the mind but boy did I need something quick to warm me up. The beauty of this soup is that it is so delicious, quick and easy to prepare … What’s not to love!

13/4 pints of vegetable stock
2 garlic cloves peeled chopped and mashed.. use a little salt to help
1 big shallot peeled and chopped
8oz frozen peas
3 oz lardons (Optional – it adds a delicious flavour but pea soup is delicious anyhow)
This makes 4 big portions.

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in medium size pot
Toss in the shallot and garlic and cook until soft and translucent
Add the peas and lardons if you are using followed by the stock
Season, less salt if using the lardons
Bring to the boil and turn down low and simmer for about 7 minutes
Blend until smooth with a hand blender and serve
I added a quenelle of my beetroot dip and some pumpkin seeds and was warm in no time!