Sweet Pea Soup

Ingredients

 * 2 cups chopped onion
 * 2 tsp minced garlic
 * 1 tsp grated fresh peeled ginger
 * 1 tsp salt
 * 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
 * 1 tbsp homemade garam masala, which we happened to have on hand, OR
 * 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
 * 1 tsp ground coriander seeds
 * 1 tsp ground cumin seeds
 * 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
 * 1/8 tsp ground cloves
 * 1/4 tsp cinnamon
 * 1 tsp turmeric (I don't like it and didn't use it, but Moosewood does)
 * 2 tomatoes, chopped
 * 1 sweet potato, diced
 * 3 1/2 cups water
 * 3 cups fresh green peas (took me 45 minutes to shell them!)

Directions
Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
 * 1) Braise/deglaze onions and garlic in a pot for 5-10 minutes.
 * 2) Mix in the ginger, salt, and all spices and cook for a few minutes, stirring often.
 * 3) Add tomatoes and sweet potato, stir. Add 1 1/2 cups of water, stir.
 * 1) Add 2 cups of the peas and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
 * 2) Remove from heat and add remaining 2 cups of water.
 * 3) Puree in batches in a blender until smooth. return to the pot, add the last cup of peas, and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes.