Mint Pea Lime Soup

This elegant, zesty green soup has a stunningly bright color
and a unique minty flavor that intrigues most every palate.
Using fresh peas and mint picked from the garden
makes for an unrivalled fresh and flavorful soup.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cups yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
3 cups peas, fresh or frozen
1 bunch fresh spinach, stems removed
1 tbsp coarse sea salt
4 cups water
10 sprigs fresh mint
juice of 1 lime

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion
and garlic in the oil on medium heat.
Stir in the peas, spinach and salt,
and continue stirring for another minute.
Add the water and simmer for several minutes,
until the peas turn a bright green.
Be careful not to overcook!
Remove from heat and place half of the soup
in a blender with 5 sprigs of mint.
Blend until a creamy consistency is achieved.
Blend the remaining half of the soup
with the remaining mint until creamy.
Combine the two batches then stir in
the fresh lime juice and serve hot.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.