Serve this first course with a lush salad of baby greens, dressed with olive oil and champagne vinegar; top with toasted pecans.
        Minted Green Pea and Buttermilk Soup
    
    
                
    
        
    Ingredients
    
                - 2 teaspoons olive oil or butter
 - 1 cup finely chopped sweet onion, such as Vidalia
 - 1 1/2 pounds frozen or fresh (shelled) green peas
 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
 - 4 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium vegetable broth
 - 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
 - Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
 
        
    Instructions
    
                - Heat oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven. Sauté onion on low heat until softened. Add peas, mint, parsley, and broth, stirring well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.
 - Working in batches, purée in a blender until smooth. Again working in batches, press soup through a fine sieve, discarding pea fibers. Add buttermilk to strained soup, plus salt and pepper to taste. Chill. Serve with a sprig of mint.
 
        
    Recipe Notes
    
                Nutrition Facts
        Minted Green Pea and Buttermilk Soup
        
        
            Amount Per Serving        
        
            Calories 120
                    
        
        
            % Daily Value*
        
                        
            Cholesterol 2mg
            1%
        
                        
            Sodium 281mg
            12%
        
                                    
                Total Carbohydrates 19g
                6%
            
                        
                Dietary Fiber 4g
                16%
            
                                                
            Protein 7g
            14%
        
                
            * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.         
    PER SERVING: 120 cal, 15% fat cal, 2g fat, 1g sat fat, 2mg chol, 7g protein, 19g carb, 4g fiber, 281mg sodium