steamed broccoli and pea soup
September 3, 2013 § 44 Comments
Broccoli (and peas for that matter) can be quite insipid as a side dish. We do like steam broccoli as long as there is a good dipping sauce made up of yogurt and sweet chili sauce or a garlic rosemary aioli. Every week I toss a few different green vegetables in the shopping basket and sort out the cooking later, which most likely is a steamed side. This particular evening was perfect soup weather. Deciding to keep it light (no cheese or cream), fresh and of course easy, I set out to make broccoli soup.
I n g r e d i e n t s
- 1 large head of broccoli, approximately 4 cups
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 3-4 cups of stock, chicken or vegetable
- 4 slices of good quality bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/3 cup pecans or pistachios, toasted and chopped
- small handful of chives, finely chopped
- a splash of cream or half and half (very optional)
Steam the broccoli and peas in a large pot until tender. Drain and place in a blender…if you are using a hand blender return the broccoli and peas to the pot. Puree until nicely mixed and mashed. Meanwhile, cook bacon until crispy, then chop into little bits. Place the nuts of choice in a non-stick skillet and toast them while occasionally giving the pan a good shake. Once your green puree is back into the pot pour enough stock in until desired consistency. Cook for 5 or 10 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of cream (or not), chopped bacon, nuts and chives.
Serves 4.
COTTAGE GROVE HOUSE 
That looks divine! And hurrah that you buy produce without a plan, then think it through in the kitchen. Love it when it works that way.
Thank you Liz! My favorite way to cook…”wing it”! :)
Ha I agree about broccoli. What beautiful accouterments on top. What a great way to dress up your greens. Anything in a bowl is automatically easier to eat.
How true. We really enjoy eating from a bowl too. And I could eat soup everyday. Doesn’t have to be cool outside, although it does add a bit of comfort when it’s raining and your have a nice bowl of soup. :) Would love to make your corn soup! Still seeing some nice looking ears at the store.
This sounds heavenly and so good for you :)
I love a good nutrition soup. Just really “feels” right. This particular one was very light too.
yummm….
What a great idea. I never thought to add peas to broccoli soup or broccoli to pea soup.
I know…it’s a little different, and delicious! Really liked the flavors together. :)
yum yum, so attractive! The texture must be great as well. Nice to see your recipes again. Just back home :).
Hi Rosa! Missed you while you were gone. Welcome back!
Great use of the dreaded ‘side’ veg.
Lovely colours.
Exactly my opinion too. The green truly was nice and vibrant.
Yum! This sounds so good!
Thank you… :)
Love the soup AND the gorgeous cloth beneath too! 😄
Thanks. :) I certainly love dish cloths. (so does my big black lab, he takes them out to the yard when I’m not looking!!)
Broccoli and pea soup is one of our family favourites. What sets yours apart though is the crispy bacon and pistachio garnish. Such a fabulous idea, and a lovely wollop of texture too. Definitely going to give that a burl.
Thank you. Don’t you just love soup with a healthy does of garnish to give it texture, This was the first time I added peas to the broccoli soup and it really was noteworthy. Very fresh.
This would be light and very nutritious – and tasty. Funny thing is right now, as I still can’t chew properly on my right side I’m having lots of soupy stews but no soups!
Darn, so sorry to hear your teeth are still bothering. Good thing you are a soup/stew master so you can at least enjoy a good meal. Enjoying your photographs! Must be a nice change to focus on the presentation without fussing too much with the recipe write out. A lovely showcase of your work, I must say.
Like you, I buy produce, especially this time of the year, depending upon what catches my eye and looks best. I’ll sort it out when I get home, no problem. Your broccoli soup sounds delicious. I’ve never heard of adding peas like this but cannot wait to give it a try.
It’s my favorite way to shop, buy now, create later. I actually enjoy thinking about it on my drive home at the end of the day…”what am I going to do with the….” Hope you end up with some extra broccoli and give this soup a try. It’s so light and healthy…and very easy too!
That looks so fantastic. I particularly like that you were able to keep the vibrant green instead of it turning army green. Nice job.
I thought the same thing Janet! I kept thinking this soup was going to go downhill in color once it cook. I think because it is steamed rather than boiled it kept it vibrancy. Thank you. :)
Yum! I’ve actually never made broccoli soup. Love that vibrant green though…. with the cream and the gorgeous crunchy bacon and nuts, it’d be a bowl of absolute heaven. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us. So good to have another addition to my arsenal for when I forget I have broccoli in the fridge! xx
Thank you Laura. Too often I forget about a vegetable in the fridge… it is ridiculous! As I write this I have a bunch of asparagus I am afraid to look at. :/ Broccoli seems like one of those vegetables that is easy to ignore once you buy it. This soup is quite nice as a switch up from the norm. Nice to hear from you! :)
That is a beautiful soup! And I’m sure it’s delicious.
Lovely looking soup my friend. It is definitely fall weather here so I’m ready to bring on the soup :)
I love fall! We are approaching it too and I couldn’t be happier. Everything about it…food, clothes, color, leaves..etc. The best season of all.
Looks delicious!
Thank you so much. And you have a lovely blog! :)
This soup looks amazing. I think it’s perfect without the cream. I love that gorgeous green color. Well done!
This looks so delicious! I am going to try this recipe soon! I love soup and am always looking for a new good soup recipe! Great job!
Thank you so much. This is a good soup. I especially liked how the broccoli is “steamed” rather than boiled. You’ll love it.
You know what? I am one of those people who just enjoy eating steamed broccoli and peas without any additives. I just love the two. I have never made creamed broccoli soup, but I love your soup because you spice it up with bacon, pistachios and a splash of cream. Sounds very yummy. Thanks for sharing! Best wishes.
Liz
Love the bright green color of your soup. It has to be extra special with your toppings.
Thank you Karen. It’s true, I think the toppings really bring it together on this one. I could use a bowl of it right now….we are having an electrical storm and soup sounds so good!
It is cold and windy at the lake today…your soup would be perfect.
Never had broccoli soup before, this kinda healty and erthy sour is just perfect through my rainy days lately….
nice shoots my friend!
Thank you Dedy. Nice to hear from you. :)
I’ve been on a soup making kick too! I could figure out how to make broccoli soup look appetizing thought. It’s one of my favourites. I think I have three different kinds of soup in my freezer right now: lentil dahl, leek and potato and some broccoli and pea somewhere in there :)
lucky! I don’t have any soup at all in my freezer. We always eat it all after I make it! Maybe I need to rethink the quantity I am making…double the recipe for leftovers.
Love, love the beautiful color– I’m longing to make soup but after a mild summer we’ve been roasting down here the last couple weeks. But I am saving this recipe for when things cool down!! thanks bunches.