Mary Berry Pea And Ham Soup

This easy Pea and Ham Soup by Mary Berry is a quick, nutritious meal that’s perfect for any day. Its creamy texture, paired with crispy mustard croûtes, makes it both comforting and delightful. Feel free to use leftover ham and frozen peas for a simple yet delicious dish that everyone will love!

Ingredients Needed

Soup:

• 50g (1¾ oz) butter
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 celery stick, coarsely chopped
• 750ml (1¼ pints) chicken stock
• 500g (1 lb 2 oz) frozen peas
• 2 tbsp snipped fresh chives
• 200g (7 oz) roast ham off the bone, excess fat removed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Croûtes:

• 25g (scant 1 oz) butter (room temperature)
• 1½ tsp Dijon mustard
• 16 slices from a baguette loaf, cut about 1 cm (½ in) thick

How To Make Pea And Ham Soup

1. Cook Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pan. Add the onion and celery; fry for 8-10 minutes over medium heat until softened but not browned.
2. Add Stock and Peas: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Stir in the frozen peas, bring back to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes until just cooked.
3. Blend Soup: Purée the soup with the chives using a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to the pan.
4. Add Ham: Shred the ham into bite-sized pieces and add it to the soup. Set aside.
5. Prepare Croûtes: Preheat the grill to the highest setting. Beat the butter and mustard together. Lay baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast both sides under the grill until golden. Spread the mustard butter on one side of each toasted slice.
6. Serve: Reheat the soup briefly over low heat, season with salt and pepper, then serve with mustard croûtes on the side.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t Overcook Peas: Cook the peas just until tender to keep their bright green color and sweet flavor in the soup.
• Blend Smoothly: Make sure to blend the soup until it’s completely smooth for the best creamy texture.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed to bring out the flavors.
• Toast Croûtes Carefully: Keep an eye on the baguette slices under the grill to avoid burning; golden brown is perfect for crispy croûtes.

How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Pea and Ham Soup cool until it reaches room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: If you want to freeze the soup, let it cool completely, then pour it into a freezer-safe container. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight before warming.
• Reheat: Pour the soup into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until it’s hot, which should take about 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 249g)

• Calories: 230
• Total Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 820mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 31g
• Dietary Fiber: 11g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 17g

Try More Mary Berry Recipes:

• Mary Berry Cheese And Onion Pie Recipe
• Mary Berry Peppermint Slice
• Mary Berry Normandy Chicken
• Mary Berry’s Smoked Haddock Quiche