A delicious warming soup – ideal for those days after Christmas when you want simple warming food. Also a great treat after you have been on a long wintery walk.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:  10-15 minutes
Serves 2-4

Ingredients

50g butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 leek, chopped
225g cooked ham or gammon, diced or shredded
455g frozen peas or any leftover peas you may have after Christmas
750ml chicken or vegetable stock
4 tbsp double cream or natural fromage frais (which ever you may have left over)
2 tbsp parsley, freshly chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
One or two bay leaves 

Method

Melt the butter in a large saucepan and gently cook the onion, bay leaves, leek and ham or gammon for 5 minutes until softened but not coloured.

Add the peas , stirring constantly for 1 minute. Pour in most of the stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves.

Transfer to a blender or food processor and process for a few seconds until smooth. Return to the saucepan and begin to heat gently. Add the remaining stock until you get the desired consistency. Check the seasoning and season as required.  Cook for a further minute or until piping hot but not boiling.

Serve with a dollop of double cream or fromage frais and an extra seasoning of black pepper and plenty of crusty bread.

Tips:

If you boiled your ham or gammon use the water as half the stock.  However, check that the water, is not too salty.

If you have any leftover bread from Christmas that is beginning to go a little stale, cut it into cubes and toss gently in olive oil. Bake or grill until lightly toasted and serve as croutons.