Lunch box idea 14 and coincidentally, may I wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! Or should I say Hap-pea Valentine’s?

(Did you notice I chose this to be lunch box idea 14 – Valentine’s Day, 14th Feb?!)

Anyway, I hope the day’s going well for you, but if you are still looking to rustle something up in the minimum of time for your loved one, then do think of this delicious soup. If you have some loveheart accessories to go with it, even better. But if you’ve a steady hand, you can cut out some love heart shaped toast, (or use a love heart cutter – coughs, of which I have many) then this is sure to impress…

So to the recipe…

Lunch box Idea 14 – Hap-pea Valentine’s Pea and Pancetta Soup

Serves 6

• 30g butter
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 small potato, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
• 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
• 500g frozen peas
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• ½ tbsp chopped mint
• 100ml double cream
• Sea salt and black pepper
• A little grated nutmeg

Pancetta Cream:

• 15g butter
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 110g pancetta, finely diced
• 50ml white wine
• 200ml whipping cream
• Sea salt and black pepper

Method:

To make the soup; heat the butter or oil in a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat, add the onion, potato and garlic and sweat for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are soft.

Add the stock and simmer for 8 minutes until the potato is soft.

Add the peas, parsley and mint and cook for a further 5 minutes until the peas are just cooked, add the cream and blend the soup until smooth, season with sea salt, black pepper and a little nutmeg.

To make the pancetta cream; melt the butter over a medium heat and sweat the garlic and shallots for 3-4 minutes until soft, add the pancetta and cook for a further 2 minutes.  Add the wine and cook, stirring until most of the liquid has reduced, stir in the cream and bring to the boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring often for about 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened, season to taste.

Serve the soup in a warm bowl topped with the pancetta cream, crispy pancetta and soda bread.

Top Tip:

If taking as a packed lunch, make sure you allow the soup to cool before storing in the fridge. Decant in to an airtight leak-proof container (such as the flasks over on the Lunchbox World shop) and sprinkle the pancetta on just before eating. Have a chunk of soda bread to mop up or lightly toast some bread and cut out into love heart shapes.

Enjoy our lunch box idea 14!

For other Valentine’s recipes for your lunch box, hop over to the Lunchbox World Recipe section, where you’ll find the delicious Valentine’s Tart and some to die-for love heart cookies!

So what treat would you put in your lunch box on Valentine’s? And this can be for you or a loved one – you decide!

If you just can’t get enough love hearts, then check out the love heart lunch boxes we stock in the shop.

The Lunch Box Lady x