Green Pea, Leek, and Potato Soup Recipe

If you're looking to eat healthfully on a tight budget, frozen green peas are an excellent choice. Fresh green peas are frozen shortly after being harvested, so they're almost as nutritious frozen as they are fresh.

Green peas are abundant in healthy protein, vitamin C, vitamin K1, folate, and a number of B vitamins. Their rich folate and vitamin B content make green peas a smart choice for keeping your blood homocysteine level in a healthy range, which is essential to decreasing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Enjoy the many health benefits of eating green peas through the following green pea, leek, and potato soup recipe. If leeks are unavailable or you just don't have the time to clean and prepare them, use onions instead.

Ingredients:

3 cups of frozen green peas
2 medium leeks, washed and chopped into bite-size slices
3 large potatoes, chopped into bite-size chunks
1 clove of garlic, minced or finely chopped
6 cups of vegetable broth or organic chicken broth
Sea salt and ground black pepper (optional)

Directions:

Combine leeks, potatoes, and 4 cups of vegetable broth in a large pot, bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer. Cover and cook until potatoes and leeks are tender, usually between 10-15 minutes.

Add green peas and garlic and more vegetable broth if there isn't enough liquid to just cover all vegetables. Allow to cook for another 3-5 minutes or until green peas are bright green and tender.

Blend all ingredients in a good blender or food processor, in batches, if necessary, and return to pot. Add sea salt and pepper, to taste.

Try this delicious green pea soup with a slice of toasted whole grain bread and half an avocado on the side.