Creamy Pea Soup with Lemony Spirulina Pesto
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that’s a surprisingly good source of protein and all the essential amino acids. Your body uses protein to make amino acids, which provide energy and help repair muscles and tissue, among other functions.
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Ingredients
Pesto:
- 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup raw unsalted walnuts
- 1 large clove garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp spirulina powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 leeks, trimmed, halved, and thinly sliced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Russet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 3 cups packed baby spinach
- 2 tbsp yellow miso
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
Preparation
- Prepare pesto: In a food processor, combine all pesto ingredients. Blend into a thick sauce, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare soup: In a heavy-bottomed pot on medium, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add leeks and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly. Add potato and 5 cups water. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered, or until potatoes are very soft. Add peas, return soup to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat and stir in spinach.
- Working in batches if needed, transfer soup to a blender. Add miso and cashews and blend until smooth and creamy, adding water, if needed, to thin. Pour soup into bowls and swirl in 1 tbsp pesto into each bowl.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 2 cups soup and 1 tbsp pesto
- Calories 334
- Carbohydrate Content 39 g
- Cholesterol Content 0 mg
- Fat Content 17 g
- Fiber Content 7 g
- Protein Content 10 g
- Saturated Fat Content 2 g
- Sodium Content 536 mg
- Sugar Content 7 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 4 g