Creamy ham and pea

Ingredients

30g.(1oz) butter
1 shallot chopped
1 tbsp. flour
570ml. (1pt) medium dry white wine
280ml (½)double cream
110g. (4oz.) thickly sliced ham diced
230g.(8oz.) peas
1 little lettuce shredded
salt and pepper

3-4 tbsp olive oil
3 thick slices white bread, crusts removed and cut into 2½ cm.(1in)cubes

Melt the butter until it starts to foam.
Add the shallot and cook unti soft but not coloured. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the flour.
Don't return the pan to the heat. Add the wine very gradually, waiting until it has all been absorbed before adding more
add the cream the same way. Return the pan to the heat and bring to the boil,
stirring all A the time.
Add the ham and peas, cover with a a lid and simmer for 10 minutes
Add the lettuce and remove the pan from the heat. For the croutons, heat the oil in a pan and fry the cubes of bread until they're crisp and golden
Drain on kitchen paper. Season the soup, spoon into bowl and sprinkle with croutons