Creamy Carioca Pea Soup Recipe: Easy & Delicious

Discover the creamy and comforting Carioca Pea Soup recipe. A nutritious and flavorful option to warm your days. Perfect for lunch or dinner!

Summary

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Tips and Variations
• CHEF’s Tips

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 500g dried peas
• 2 liters of water
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 1 medium potato, chopped
• 1 vegetable broth cube
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

For Garnish (optional):

• Croutons
• Fried diced bacon
• Chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Rinse the dried peas thoroughly under running water.
2. In a pressure cooker, combine the peas, water, onion, garlic, carrots, potato, and vegetable broth cube.
3. Cook for 20 minutes after the pressure starts.
4. Carefully release the pressure from the pot and open it.
5. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree the Pea Soup until smooth.
6. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Serve the Pea Soup hot, with your preferred accompaniments.

Tips and Variations

• For a richer Pea Soup, add bacon or smoked calabresa sausage, diced, during cooking.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the vegetable broth with water and add more natural seasonings.
• To thicken the Pea Soup, add a little fresh cream at the end of preparation.
• Try adding other vegetables, such as pumpkin or mandioquinha (arracacha), to vary the flavor.
• Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and toasted bread on the side.

CHEF’s Tips

The key to a perfect Pea Soup lies in the quality of the ingredients and the cooking time. Ensure the peas are well-cooked before pureeing to achieve a velvety, lump-free texture. A valuable tip is to sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil before adding the other ingredients, enhancing the flavor of the Pea Soup. Furthermore, homemade vegetable broth makes all the difference, providing a more intense and authentic taste. To finish, try adding a touch of fresh chopped mint, which pairs wonderfully with the pea flavor, bringing freshness and elegance to the dish. If you want a more sophisticated version, finish with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pea Soup is versatile and allows for various combinations, so use your creativity and personalize your recipe!