Here’s a hearty and comforting recipe for Split Pea Soup with Ham. This classic soup is perfect for chilly days and is easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ham bone (or 2 cups diced cooked ham)
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water, if preferred)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the split peas: Rinse the split peas thoroughly under cold water. Remove any small stones or debris.
- Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the ham and broth: Add the ham bone (or diced ham), split peas, chicken broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened. If you’re using a ham bone, remove it once the soup is done and shred any remaining meat from the bone. Return the meat to the soup.
- Blend (optional): For a creamier texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend some of the soup directly in the pot. Alternatively, you can transfer about half of the soup to a blender, purée it, and then return it to the pot. This step is optional depending on your preferred consistency.
- Season: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Tips:
- If you don’t have a ham bone, you can use diced ham or even bacon for flavor.
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of white wine before adding the broth and let it cook off for a minute.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing.
Enjoy your comforting bowl of Split Pea Soup with Ham—perfect for warming up and satisfying your hunger!