Pea and Carrot Soup with Rice
This veggie- and vitamin-packed soup is simply delicious and very nutritious.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup orzo
- 1 cup white rice
- 6 cups chicken stock, divided
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 2 leeks, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise and thoroughly rinsed
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups fresh or thawed frozen organic peas
- 1 cup flat leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4-1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
- 1 large or 2 small cloves garlic, halved
Preparation
In a medium size saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the orzo and toast until deep golden and fragrant. Stir in the rice, then add about 2 cups chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, adding a bit more stock if the rice begins to stick, until the rice is just tender, about 18 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and leeks; season with salt and pepper. Cook stirring, until softened, 6-7 minutes. Add the remaining stock and the fresh peas (if using frozen, stir in just before serving). Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer.
Using a food processor, mix the parsley, mint, cheese, pine nuts, garlic and about 1/4 cup EVOO into a pesto. Stream in more EVOO iuf needed. Stir the pesto into the rice pilaf.
Serve 1/2 cup of the prepared rice in each of four soup bowls. Top with the peas and carrots in broth. Stir to combine.
