IT’S Saturday and everyone is looking forward to a hot bowl of soup. The aroma spreads through the house filling all the rooms with this lovely weekend tradition. Red Peas Soup is one of the most common soups here in Jamaica, but strangely, stands as a challenge for persons to make.

Well, if you are a victim of such a challenge TEENChef will gladly solve that problem with these easy-to-follow steps that will lead you to preparing a hot and scrumptious pot of soup for the whole family.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb red peas

1 lb diced chicken

8 oz chopped onion

4 oz chopped garlic

6 oz diced carrots

4 oz chopped escallion

1 qt water (or as needed)

6 oz diced Irish potatoes

6 fl oz coconut cream

1 oz thyme

1 pepper

Salt to taste

METHOD

1 In a pot, add one pound red peas with one quart water and boil peas until tender (pressure cook if needed). If water evaporates, continue adding until the peas are cooked.

2 When peas become tender, remove half of the peas with some amount of liquid and set aside.

3 Add chicken to the remaining liquid. Boil until almost cooked then add potatoes and carrots. Allow to simmer for an additional five minutes.

4 Season with garlic, onion, thyme, escallion and scotch bonnet pepper, salt and pepper to taste.

5 When vegetables are tender and chicken is fully cooked, purée the other half of peas, which was removed earlier then return to pot.

6 Add coconut cream then check and adjust seasoning to desired taste with salt and pepper.

NB: Do not attempt without parental supervision.

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