How To make Sweet Pea Soup with Lemon Pepper Cream

SOUP: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 (10-oz) russet potato, peeled and cut in -- 1/4
inch dices 1 (10-oz) firm-ripe pear, peeled, cored,

chopped
1 large onion, :

chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped or 1/2 tsp -- dried
1 package (10-oz) frozen peas
1 bunch watercress, rinsed, coarse stems discarded
8 sprigs watercress for garnish
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper LEMON-PEPPER CREAM: 1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
SOUP: In 4-quart Dutch oven, melt butter. Add potato, pear and onion; cook covered, over low heat, stirring often, 20 minutes, until potato is tender. Add chicken broth and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover; simmer 8 minutes. Add peas and watercress; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes. In blender, puree in batches. Add salt and pepper. LEMON-PEPPER CREAM; Whisk together ingredients. To serve: Ladle 1 cup soup into each of 8 bowls. Serve hot, at room temperature or chilled. Drizzle with Lemon-Pepper Cream. Garnish with watercress.