Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Best Split Pea Soup. Ever.

I confess I'm a soup person.  I love soups!  One of my absolute favorites is split pea soup.  But not just any split pea soup.  Jane Brody's dutch oven split pea soup. 



Ingredients:
1 lb dried green split peas
6 c water
4 c (approx) broth (chicken or beef)
1/4 lb smoked pork or ham; diced
3/4 c celery, with some leaves; chopped
2 leeks; (white part only) thinly sliced
1 lg onion; chopped (1 cup)
2 1/2 c potatoes; diced
1 1/2 c carrots; diced (2 large)
*Although the original recipe doesn't call for it, I often add in a bay leaf*
1/2 ts salt; if desired
1/4 ts freshly ground black pepper
1 dash tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
Instructions
(1) In a large saucepan, combine the peas and water. Bring the water
to a boil, and cook the peas for 2 minutes. Remove the peas from the
heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour.

(2) Add the broth, pork or ham, celery, leeks, and onion. Bring the
soup to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer the soup
for 1-1/2 hours.

(3) Add the potatoes and carrots, and cook the soup for another 15 to
30 minutes (the peas should disintegrate). If the soup gets too
thick, thin it with additional broth.

(4) Season the soup with salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.

This soup takes time to prepare but it is worth the wait.  The peas completely disintegrate, and the soup is thick and flavorful, if not exactly appetizing in photographs:





11 comments:

Jeremi said...

okay, YUM!!

Alessandra@ Tribal Times said...

Love it too! I'm gathering all my soup recipes for the winter and just added yours!

laughwithusblog said...

Oh this does look good. I confess I have never had or made split pea soup! It sounds so good in this chilly weather and with my sore throat.

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

I love soups, too. And steakhouse chili.

Does your family like this split pea soup recipe, too?

Sometimes I try a new recipe and Livie likes it, but Andrew isn't thrilled (or vice versa). But then sometimes they surprise me and they both like it.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Joe makes pea soup but his comes out really dark green...how come?...:)JP

Myya said...

I haven't had split pea soup in years. Mmmm that looks soooo good!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Sonya, they do like this soup - it's a big hit with Pierce. The twins are a little young for soup yet, so I don't know about them.

Chatty Crone said...

Pea soup is my all time favorite - I made a copy of this - thanks. sandie

Unknown said...

I've never made this, but sounds delish! Wonder if Abby would eat it (Izzy LOVES peas & veggies)? printing it out now!

Angela said...

I don't think I've ever had split pea soup before. Don't laugh but I've never had a leek before either! lol

Have a Great Day!
Angela

Joy @ Joy Of Desserts said...

Tasty. I'll be trying this out. Thanks.