Is it Spring yet? No? Well, let's pretend it is and make Green Pea Soup!

It's around this time when I'm really starting to look forward to Spring again. I shouldn't really complain though. This winter has been really mild compared to the norm. We haven't had much snow and the temperature hasn't been too frigid. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to the longer days, warmer temps, and the return of rhubarb, asparagus, and peas! Oh...and maybe just a little bit more sunshine!

Who says I need to wait though? Lucky for me I froze a ton of peas last year! Typically, I don't freeze a lot of vegetables as a preserving method because they end up limp and tasteless. I froze some green beans, broccoli and cauliflower a couple of years ago and will never freeze them again. Blech! Instead, I freeze a lot of peas and corn. Peas and corn are great additions to many winter dishes, such as shepherds pie or in pastas or soups. This week I made a simple green pea soup to remind myself that winter won't last forever and that we will be enjoying fresh peas again sooner than we think.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 small onions, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups frozen peas
• handful of mint leaves
• salt and pepper, to taste

In a large pot on medium heat melt the butter and add the onions. Cook the onions until softened (about 5 minutes) and add the garlic for another couple of minutes. Add the potatoes, peas, and broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the mint, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through. Using a food processor (or blender), blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

I know it's only January but man, I'd really love it if spring were just around the corner. Maybe it's because the days are getting slightly longer already or maybe because January has been so spring-like with all the rain but I've really got spring on the brain.

Speaking of the days getting longer -- do you know how hard it is to get decent pics of my dinners when it's so dark out? It's a good thing we tend to eat pretty early! Geez....remember when it was daylight until 9 at night? Sigh.....