SPLIT PEA SOUP

SPLIT PEA SOUP w/HAM

Put this easy recipe together in your slow cooker in the morning and come home to a rich, hearty soup at the end of your day. So easy and delicious! This recipe is a good way to use the leftovers from the baked ham you made for dinner. If you didn't bake a ham, just buy a slice of ham at the grocery store. Get a piece that has a bone. This recipe is almost fool proof and a good recipe for a beginner.

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Ingredients:

Bone from baked ham (leave some meat on the bone, it will cook off into the soup)

1 cup cubed baked ham

1 pound dried split peas

4 cups water or broth

2 carrots

2 stalks celery

2 medium russet potatoes

1 medium onion

2 cloves garlic

1 sprig of fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper

1/2 cup cream

2 Tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Using a large bowl and a colander or strainer, wash and sort the peas. I usually rinse and sort the peas at least three times. You are not soaking the peas, you are removing any dirt and debris. Take the time now and clean the peas to avoid biting down on a piece of grit later.

When you are done washing the peas the water should be clear as shown above.

Next, wash, peel and chop the vegetables. Cut the potato, carrot and celery into smallish cubes, all about the same size. Chop the onion a little smaller and mince the garlic.

Pour the water or broth into the slow cooker. Add the ham bone and chopped ham. Add the peas and all the chopped vegetables and garlic. Stir everything around to evenly distribute.

Add the bay leaf and sprig of thyme. (Use 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves if you do not have fresh). Add 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

Set the slow cooker for 8 hours on low. After cooking, remove the bay leaf, thyme sprig, ham bone and discard.

Now puree the soup to give it a smooth, creamy texture. I use a hand-held immersion blender or you can pour some of the soup into a blender and do a few cups at a time. Be careful to fill only half way and put the top on the blender. Hot liquids can be dangerous in a blender. I like my pea soup to be a little chunky, but you can blend it to the texture you prefer. Taste it now and add more salt and/or pepper to your taste preference.

 

To finish the soup, stir in the cream and butter. Serve with a few croutons on top. This soup is good for lunch or as a first course at dinner. Really easy, economical and so delicious.

Try this simple recipe and let me know how it turns out. I'd love to hear from you, just leave a comment below.