spring cleanse food: creamy pea soup

I wouldn't get through a cleanse without the charming avocado.

This is an easy to make creamy green soup. I came up with it last spring when I was utterly baffled at how to make a cream of pea soup without cream. So I subbed an avocado for the dairy, and I'll never have it with cream again! One tip, if you're cleansing, check to see that the veggie broth you are using does not contain gluten. Sometimes the cubes contain wheat gluten. If you're not sure, boil up some veggies and make your own broth!

Creamy Pea Soup with Avocado
serves 2

2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup frozen peas
1 avocado
a handful of fresh basil (or use mint leaves, or a sprig of thyme)

In a small saucepan, bring the soup to a boil. Add the peas and simmer for 5 minutes. Add this to a blender with the avocado (skin and stone removed) and fresh herbs. Blend until smooth. (Be sure to leave the lid ajar or cover with a cloth when blending hot liquid, or it will explode!) Garnish with herbs and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper.

Kitchen tool tip: I use a handstick blender to blend hot soups and cereals right in the pot.