Curried Green Pea Soup/Side Dish

Here is a little soup or side dish that I dreamed up because I wanted to combine green peas and curry flavor. I created it as a soup, but it can be a curried, creamed pea side dish by halving the amount of milk.  The 1 teaspoon curry powder gives the soup a bit of a bite so it might be wise to start out with 1/2 teaspoon.

I like to see the whole peas, but the soup can be put in a blender or food processor and blended until smooth if desired.   One-half to one cup cubed cooked ham may be added to make this more of a main dish soup.  

Curried Green Pea Soup/Side Dish
1/4 c. butter
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/3 c. flour
1 can (16 oz.) green peas, undrained
1/2 to 1 t. curry powder
1/2 T. instant chicken bouillon
1 c. milk
1/4 c. crumbled, crisp cooked bacon pieces
1/4 c. finely chopped dry roasted peanuts

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring and watching carefully.  Add flour and stir and cook for 1 minute.  Add peas, curry powder and bouillon.  Stir and cook until liquid in mixture smooths out.  Add milk, cook and stir for 5 minutes or until heated through.  Ladle into serving bowls.  Top each bowl with 1 T. bacon pieces and 1 T. chopped peanuts.  Makes 4 servings.