Pea and Ham Soup

1. Sweat the finely chopped onion in the butter until translucent.

2. Add the diced potato and half of the smoked ham.

3. Cover with water, add the bay leaf and cook for 15 minutes.

4. Add the peas and cook for just 6-8 minutes – that keeps them bright green.

5. Remove the bay leaf and blend until smooth.

6. Stir in the cream and serve topped with the remaining diced ham.

Tip: Do not overcook the peas – after 8 minutes they grey out and the soup loses its colour.