Chilled Pea Pod Soup

Servings: 6
Ingredients:

2 lb Fresh green pea pods
1/2 c  Unsalted butter
8    Thinly sliced green onions
2 qt Chicken broth
2 tb Minced fresh tarragon
16    Leaves romaine lettuce
1/2 c  Creme fraiche
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 pn Sugar

Serving Size : 8

fresh lemon juice creme fraiche fresh sprigs tarragon garnish steamed fresh
green pea

Snap ends and remove strings from pea pods.

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Saute pods and onions
until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth and minced tarragon and
bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Mix in romaine and simmer
5 minutes.

Puree soup as finely as possible in batches in processor using on/off
turns, about 5 minutes. Strain through fine sieve into bowl. Stir in 1/2
cup creme fraiche. Season with salt, pepper and sugar or lemon juice if
desired.

Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at
least 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.)

Just before serving, ladle soup into individual bowls. Top with dollop of
creme fraiche and fresh tarragon sprig. Garnish with fresh peas if desired.