This creamy chilled soup combines ripe avocado and sweet garden peas for a bright, silky texture. A hint of lemon and fresh herbs lifts the flavor, giving a clean, tangy finish. The body is smooth and refreshing, with a subtle grassy sweetness from the peas. Serve as a starter for warm-weather dinners or as a light midday meal on patios and picnics.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen peas (thawed) or fresh peas
- 2 ripe avocados (peeled and pitted)
- 1 small shallot (roughly chopped)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth (cold)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, plus 3 tbsp for garnish
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon) + 1 tsp lemon zest
- 6–8 fresh mint leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1–2 tbsp cold water (if needed to adjust consistency)
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon lemon zest and a pinch of salt; cover and chill for serving.
- In a blender combine the thawed peas, avocados, chopped shallot, minced garlic, fresh mint, basil (if using), lemon juice, olive oil and cold vegetable broth.
- Blend on high until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed; add 1–2 tablespoons cold water if the soup is too thick for your blender.
- Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper; blend briefly again to incorporate seasoning evenly.
- Transfer the soup to a bowl or pitcher, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the texture to firm slightly.
- To serve, ladle the chilled soup into bowls and dot each with a spoonful of the lemon yogurt, swirling gently with the back of the spoon.
- Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a few torn mint leaves or a small basil leaf on top; serve immediately.
Tips or Variations
- For a dairy-free option, swap the yogurt for a coconut yogurt and omit the garnish or use a lemon-tahini drizzle.
- If peas are very sweet, add a small pinch of sugar or a splash more lemon juice to balance the flavor.