Indian Pea Soup

Ingredients :
1 cup green peas
3 shallots
2 green chilies
3 tbs chopped potato
1 chopped tomato
5-6 mint strips
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
4 whole peppercorns
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp minced garlic
Salt to taste
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbs yogurt
1 tsp gram flour

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. On low flame fry 1 tsp gram flour and black peppercorns for few seconds. Sauté shallots,garlic ,ginger and green chilies untill softened. Add salt, cinnamon powder and cumin powder while stirring. Now, add tomato, potatoes and mint leaves and let them boil for 4-5 minutes.
Mix little water to the yogurt, whisk so that no lumps are formed making a thin paste. Pour it into the boiling mixture. Keep stirring.Adding yogurt and tomato gives a little tang to balance out the sweetness of peas. And also, yogurt and gram flour make a good broth for the soup. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid and let simmer for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender. Add peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
Carefully blend the above mixture until smooth. Reheat the puree, stirring from time to time and adding a little more water if necessary to prevent the soup becoming too thick or sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook for another 7-8 minutes.Garnish with mint leaves and serve steamingly hot.