Savory Split Pea Soup
Description
Warm up with this rich and velvety Split Pea Soup, a timeless comfort dish brimming with tender split peas, smoky ham, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for cozy nights or as a satisfying lunch, this soup offers a wholesome, savory experience that will leave you feeling nourished and content. Ideal for slow cooking, it brings together simple ingredients in a heartwarming bowl of goodness that’s sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon • olive oil
- 1 • onion, chopped
- 2 • carrots, diced
- 2 • celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves • garlic, minced
- 1 pound • dried split peas, rinsed and picked over
- 8 cups • chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 • bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon • dried thyme
- • Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup • diced ham or bacon (optional)
- • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in dried split peas, chicken or vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until split peas are soft and soup has thickened. If using, add diced ham or bacon during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Remove bay leaf from the pot.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer a portion of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth, then return to the pot.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy this hearty and savory split pea soup!
Hearty, Comforting, Smoky, Traditional, Nourishing, Velvety, Protein-rich, Slow-cooked, Wholesome, Savory