Monday, January 16, 2012

MEATY PEA SOUP

meaty pea soup

This is a delicious pea soup, rich with the flavors and ingredients that men love.  Though the broth is thin, the addition of beef stock gives the soup a beefy heaviness.  If you like your pea soup thick, use 3 cups of chicken broth.  Add more, a little at a time, till you get the soup to the consistency you want.  Hubby lapped this soup up while holding up one thumb.  I much prefer the lighter taste and texture of fresh pea soup

Meaty Pea Soup
Rating:  9 out of 10

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INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled, rinsed and chopped
1/2 large celery stalk, peeled, rinsed and chopped
1 garlic clove, grated
1 meaty ham bone, meat removed and chopped to provide about 2 cups of ham
8 oz. split peas, rinsed, picked over and drained
1-1/4 quarts low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 medium potato, peeled and chopped
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

In Dutch oven, heat oil on medium-high heat.  Add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until veggies are soft, about 5 minutes.  Stir in garlic and ham bone and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Add peas and broth.  Tie thyme sprigs and bay leaves together with kitchen twine and drop into pot.  
meaty pea soup (6) 
Cook about 1-1/2 hours, or till peas and other veggies are cooked through and soft.  meaty pea soup (8) 
Remove thyme and bay leaves.  If desired, puree veggies, or mash with potato masher. 

Add potatoes, pepper and parsley.   (No salt is necessary, as broth and ham provide sufficient saltiness to this soup.) Cook 10-15 minutes, or till potatoes are fork tender.  Add in reserved chopped ham.  Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches or pizza, if desired.  Yield:  About 2-1/2 quarts of soup.


5 comments:

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I love split pea soup! This recipe sounds very similar to the one I make from a Junior League cookbook except mine has a leek in it also. Yours has a bay leaf which mine does not which I think is a nice addition.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I bet my husband would really enjoy this. I am bookmarking it to try on him.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

I love peas soup and this looks delicious. I also like the addition of the thyme and bay leaves!

Have a great week!

Mary

teresa said...

i love split pea soup, this looks fantastic!

Coleens Recipes said...

PERFECT winter soup.