Phillipe and Jean-Claude Make Great Soup

So, I have been on a one woman crusade to try as many new soups as I can. And thus far, it has been pretty rewarding. I had high expectations for this weeks soup- fresh pea soup as I am a big fan split pea soup. Luckily, it lived up to my expectations.

And for those of you who don't get the title reference for this particular blog, I was a huge fan of Veggie Tales in middle and high school. Phillipe and Jean-Claude were "The French Peas."

Here's to you and your culinary adventures, friend. Cheers!

Fresh Pea Soup

Serves 3-4

1 TBS butter
2 large shallots, finely chopped
14 oz fresh peas, shells removed OR fresh frozen peas, thawed
2 1/2 cups water
3 TBS fat free half and half or regular cream
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 smoked turkey leg, fully cooked*

Saute shallots and garlic in melted butter in a large soup pot. Add turkey leg, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered until meat begins to fall off bone, about 1 hour.

Add peas. Simmer 15 minutes, covered.

Take soup pot off the heat. Remove turkey leg. Set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, remove from bone. Strip away and discard skin. Dice or shred meat.

In a blender, blend peas and liquid until smooth. Return to pot. Add half and half or cream and cheese. Stir in meat.

Serve hot with crusty bread.

* You may substitute a meaty ham bone or large ham hock in place of the smoked turkey leg