Curried Pea soup

What better to warm you up on a cold evening than bowl of hot soup... So it was only perfect to make a warm yummy soup for dinner yesterday.


I started with this recipe for curried pea soup from food network and adapted it.
Ingredients:
2 leeks (white and green parts, sliced thinly. Leeks sometimes have mud inside in between their leaflets. So make a slit in the leek which goes almost 3/4th of the length and wash it under running water separating each leaflet)
1 medium onion chopped ( red/yellow.. I used red)
1 capsicum/ green bell pepper chopped ( green is better as it goes with the color scheme..But you can use any color)
1 packet frozen peas ( I guess non lazy people can use fresh peas and shell them)
1 packet veggie broth ( I used trader joe's one. Homemade would be great.)
1 cup milk (optional)
1 bay leaf
1-1 1/2 (as per taste) teaspoon curry powder ( I used madras curry powder)
1 clove of garlic ( optional- as per taste)
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
11/2 tablespoons Olive oil
Method:
1.Heat olive oil in a pot and add garlic, leeks and onions. Add a little salt and pepper and let it cook for 2 minutes. Add the bell pepper. Let it cook till the vegetable become a little soft.
2.Add the curry powder, mix and let it cook for 2 more minutes.
3. Add the veggie broth, bay leaf, ginger paste and bring to boil on hight heat. Once it boils let it simmer on low heat for a few minutes.
3. Add the frozen peas, salt (as per taste) and let it cook for 10 more minutes. Check the taste at this point and add salt,curry powder (whatever is required).
4. Use the hand blender to puree the soup in the pot (try not to completely puree. Some texture is good). If using the standing blender, do it in batches (blend a small batch. Then add some more and blend. Repeat process).
5. Bring the pureed soup to boil again. Slowly add a cup of hot milk while continuously stirring. Let it remain on the stove at low heat for 5 more minutes (I did not bring it to boil again). The milk adds a certain creaminess. But its completely optional.
I served the soup with fresh warm French bread. Made for a wonderful tasty yet light dinner. R loved the soup so much he even took for lunch :)