Asparagus And Pea Soup

Locally grown asparagus is back on the shelves in Western Australia, if only for too short a season. I have to make the best of it!

Along with dipping spears in runny eggs and cooking them on the barbecue this is another favourite of mine. Less so for the middle son who hates asparagus with a passion! So, I liquidise this soup for him and wave the bag of frozen peas around to avoid questions!

For the adults, I like to leave the the soup as is, the vibrancy of the greens is gorgeous!

Serves 10.

Ingredients

30mls olive oil

2 leeks, white part only, quartered lengthwise, cut into 1 cm chunks and washed

2 bunches fresh asparagus, around 400g, stalks cut into 1cm chunks, tops intact

400g frozen baby peas

1.8litres chicken or vegetable stock

salt and pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the leaks and soften over a medium heat for 10 minutes.

Add the stock and bring up to a simmer, add the peas and asparagus stalks, bring back up to simmer and cook for 3 minutes.

Check seasoning.

Ladle into warmed bowls and sprinkle over the asparagus tips.

Creamy Smoked Salmon and Pea Sauce for Pasta or Baked Potatoes

Creamy sauce, smoked salmon and peas go so well together!

The boys have theirs over pasta but for the gluten free option I allow the sauce to thicken before adding the salmon and peas and then spoon it over a baked potato, utter decadence!

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients

30g butter

1 large onion, sliced

250g cream cheese

700mls milk

200g smoked salmon, cut into strips

400g frozen peas, defrosted

salt and pepper

500g dried pasta

Method

In a large frying pan over a medium to low heat, melt the butter and add the onion slices.

Cook gently until soft but not coloured, around 10mins.

Beat the cheese and 250mls of milk in a bowl until you have a creamy consistency.

Pour the cheese mix and the rest of the milk in with the onions and bring up to a gentle simmer.

Add the peas and salmon, cook until the salmon has only just lost its opaqueness.

Serve over pasta or allow to thicken a little in the pan and spoon over baked potatoes.

Pasta with Creamy Smoked Salmon

This takes the time of the pasta to cook for the entire dish to be ready, the secret is the caramelised onions, the recipe is  in my blog.

Hugely popular with the boys and their friends this goes really nicely with a rocket salad to cut through the richness.

Serves 6.

Ingredients

500g dry pasta

300g smoked salmon slices, cut into 5cm pieces

400g frozen peas

120g caramelised onions

200mls cream

300mls milk

10g parsley, chopped

10g dill, leaves picked

Method

Cook the pasta as per its instructions.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the onions and allow them to warm through.

Add the cream and milk to the onions, bring up to a simmer.

Add the peas and again bring up to a simmer.

Follow with the salmon, parsley and dill, mix well and turn off the heat.

Add the drained, cooked pasta to the sauce, stir well and serve.

Stir Fried Rice

 

Fast food is essential in my family some nights, add to this the fact I seem to always have leftovers this is a great way to cover both bases.

Although not authentic this has a lovely mild flavour that kids love.

Ingredients

450g cooked white rice

2 tablespoons sesame oil

100g roast pork/ham, cubed

200g frozen peas

2 eggs

3 spring onion, sliced

50g baby spinach

Method

Take the peas out of the freezer to allow time to defrost.

Beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a wok or frying pan over high heat until the oil is smoking.

Add the rice and stir fry for 3-5mins, keep it moving in the pan to avoid sticking.

Add meat and peas, stir fry for 2mins.

Add the egg mixture, stir fry for 2mins.

Add spinach and spring onion, stir fry for 1min and serve.