Pea Soup With Crisp Prosciutto

• 20 g butter
• 2 leeks, thoroughly washed and then chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped (medium to large)
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 3 cups frozen peas
• 6 slices prosciutto, halved (or you may prefer to halve the prosciutto after it has been cooked)
• crusty bread, such as ciabatta, to serve
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste

1. Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat and cook the leeks for 5 minutes, stirring until they have softened; add the potatoes, garlic and thyme and cook for 2 minutes; add the stock and bring to the boil over a high heat; reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes; add the peas and simmer for 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
2. Puree with a hand blender until the soup is smooth. If you like a bit of chunkiness in your soups, take out a portion of the soup before pureeing, then return it to the pot after you've finished pureeing the bulk of the soup.
3. Meanwhile, place the prosciutto on a baking tray and cook it under a hot grill for 2-3 minutes each side, until crisp.
4. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, and serve it in bowls with prosciutto and crispy rolls.
5. TIP: If you're a microwave rather than a grill user, or your grill is a bit dodgy, you may prefer to cook your prosciutto in a single layer between 2 double sheets of kitchen paper for a couple of minutes in the microwave. Because microwaves vary so enormously in heat, if using this option, err on the side of caution and just cook the prosciutto for a minute to start with.and then perhaps for an extra 30 seconds at a time until the prosciutto is how you want it. It's too delicious to waste. Not quite as crisp as grilled, but a useful alternative. Apologies if this is a method you've known for years! It's a useful tip if you're unfamiliar with it.

butter, leeks, garlic, thyme, potatoes, chicken stock, frozen peas, after, crusty bread, salt, fresh ground black pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pea-soup-with-crisp-prosciutto-320811 (may not work)