SPLIT PEA SOUP

By   February 2, 2016

Split Pea Soup/ Гороховый суп/ Vera's Cooking/ Verascooking.com

Introducing my take on simple traditional Split Pea Soup. One simple ingredient that I’ve been using takes this soup to the whole new level! – as we all know, soup is one of the most versatile dishes in the cook’s repertoire. In my house, soup served daily for lunch. What can be better than a bowl of comforting hot soup, particularly in winter? This Split Pea Soup is considered a main-dish soup and is perfect for lunches or even informal weeknight dinners.

Ingredients:

6 cups water
32-ounce package chicken stock
1 16-ounce package split peas, rinsed
1-2 carrots, shredded
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 slices of ham or few strips of bacon, cut in small pieces
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 whole clove
1 bay leaf
salt/pepper
3-4 medium potatoes
croutons (optional)

Split Pea Soup (1 of 12)

I don’t soak peas overnight. I just rinse them until the water runs clear right before ready to cook.

Split Pea Soup (2 of 12)

I find it much easier and time-saving to prepare all of the ingredients before I start cooking.

Split Pea Soup (4 of 12)

Prepare the base for your soup. You can do it right in your Dutch Oven or in a skillet.  Over medium heat, with some olive oil, sauté onions until tender, 5-7 minutes. Add carrots, and ham, cook for another 5-7 minutes. Note: if using bacon, omit olive oil; bacon goes in first, then onions, and then carrots.

Split Pea Soup (5 of 12) Split Pea Soup (6 of 12)

Add split peas, chicken stock and water, bring to boil; with the spoon, collect the foam as it forms. Season with salt, add bay leaf, allspice and whole clove. Do those spices make a difference? Yes! You can skip them, but the soup wouldn’t be the same. There, the secret ingredient has been revealed! 🙂 Reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer 45 minutes. Add potatoes, and cook for another 15-20 minutes. I like to add herbs like parsley and fresh dill at the end, but its also optional. I always have herbs available to use. I grow them in my garden, and freeze quiet a bit for winter.

Split Pea Soup (3 of 12) Split Pea Soup (8 of 12)

Split Pea Soup is perfect when served with homemade croutons.

Split Pea Soup/ Гороховый суп/ Vera's Cooking/ Verascooking.com/

Enjoy!

 

 

4 Comments on “SPLIT PEA SOUP

    1. Vera Post author

      Thank you Fae! I love experimenting and discovering spices. Some things are just meant to be cooked in a same pot 🙂

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