Bacon & split pea soup

Ingredients

• 50g/2oz dried split peas,
• 25g/1oz butter
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped,
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 175g/6oz long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée
• 1.2 litres/2pt vegetable stock
• 175g/6oz carrots, diced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh
• flat-leaf parsley
• 4 tablespoons single cream
• 100g/4oz streaky bacon rashers
• salt and ground black pepper

• Cover the split peas with plenty of cold water, cover loosely and leave to
  soak for at least 12 hours.

•  Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over a medium heat, add the garlic
  and onion, and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft but not coloured. Add the
  rice, drained soaked split peas and tomato purée, and cook for a further
  2–3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Add the stock, bring
  to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes until the
  rice and peas are tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

•  Blend three-quarters of the soup in a blender or food processor to form a
  smooth purée. Pour into the remaining soup in the saucepan. Add the
  carrots and cook for a further 10–12 minutes until the carrots are tender.

•  Stir in the parsley and single cream. Keep warm.

•  Finely chop the bacon and put in a frying pan over a gentle heat. Sauté
  until the bacon is crisp. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Sprinkle
  over the soup, and season well with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.