Chilled Tomato Soup with Sweet Pea Puree

• Recipe by Jody Denton

This gazpacho-style soup should be made with juicy, almost overripe tomatoes when they're in season.

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup fresh or thawed frozen baby peas
2. 1 cup baby spinach leaves
3. 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5. 2 tablespoons fresh goat cheese
6. 1 tablespoon freshly grated Pecorino Romano
7. 1 tablespoon mint leaves
8. 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
9. Salt and freshly ground pepper
10. 5 cups grape tomatoes (about 3 pints)
11. 1 medium European cucumber—peeled, halved, seeded and cut into large pieces
12. 2 small inner celery ribs
13. 1 1/4 cups loosely packed basil leaves
14. 2 scallions, thinly sliced
15. 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
16. 2 teaspoons harissa (see Note) or other hot sauce

Directions

1. If using fresh peas, blanch them in a small pot of boiling water for 5 minutes; drain. In a small skillet, cook the blanched or thawed frozen peas with the spinach and 1/4 cup of the olive oil over high heat until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to a blender or food processor. Add the lemon juice, goat cheese, Pecorino Romano, mint and lemon zest and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a small bowl.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatoes with the cucumber, celery and basil and puree until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing hard on the solids. Stir in the scallions, garlic, harissa and the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Ladle the tomato soup into bowls. Drizzle with the sweet pea puree and serve the soup at once.

Make Ahead

The soup and the pea puree can be refrigerated separately overnight.

Notes

Harissa, the Tunisian chili paste, is available at Middle Eastern markets and specialty food stores.