Description
Hearty split pea soup delivers comfort through rich, smoky flavors from ham and vegetables. Warm bowls invite home cooks to savor traditional comfort with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
- 6 cups (1.5L) chicken or vegetable broth
- 12 cups (240-480ml) water (as needed)
- 1 ham bone, ham hock, or 1 cup diced cooked ham (optional for smoky flavor)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for added depth)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot over medium flame, adding onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables become translucent and tender, stirring periodically to ensure even caramelization.
- Spice Infusion: Incorporate garlic, thyme, and paprika into the vegetable base. Allow the spices to release their essential oils, creating a rich, layered flavor foundation that will permeate the entire soup.
- Liquid Integration: Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, followed by split peas, ham hock or diced ham, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Slow Transformation: Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for approximately 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally. The split peas will gradually break down, creating a creamy, velvety texture while the ham imparts a smoky, savory undertone.
- Final Refinement: Remove bay leaves and ham hock. If using ham hock, separate the meat from the bone and return it to the soup. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup, maintaining some textural integrity.
Notes
- Sauté Vegetables Thoroughly: Ensure vegetables are softened and translucent before adding spices to develop a rich, deep flavor base that enhances the soup’s overall taste profile.
- Control Spice Blooming: Briefly toast garlic and herbs to release their essential oils and prevent burning, which can introduce bitter undertones to the soup.
- Manage Heat Carefully: Maintain a gentle, consistent medium heat while cooking to prevent vegetable scorching and preserve delicate flavor nuances.
- Customize Texture Options: Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth for a thinner soup or mashing some split peas for a creamier, more substantial texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg