Split Pea Soup with Ham

I never liked pea soup until I tried this… well worth the time. Adapted from “Cook’s Illustrated Best Recipes”

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 8-10

Prep Time: 30 minutes   Cook Time: 3 1/2 hours  

Ingredients

1 Leftover Ham Bone with meat from holiday dinner (can also use a picnic ham from the store)
4 Bay leaves
1 lb (2 ½ cups) Green Split Peas, rinsed and picked through
1 teaspoon Dried thyme
2 Tablespoons Olive oil or Butter
1 medium Onion, chopped
2 medium Carrots, chopped
2 stalks Celery, chopped
1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 pinch Sugar
5 New Potatoes or 3 Idaho Potatoes, cut into chunks
Ground black pepper

Directions

1. Bring 3 quarts water, ham and bay leaves to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer until meat is tender and pulls away from the bone, approx 2 – 2 ¾ hours.

2. Take ham out of water and set aside on a plate to cool. (To reduce fat, you can refrigerate the liquid and let the fat harden – then just scrape off and reheat liquid.) Add split peas and thyme to water and simmer until peas are tender but not dissolved, about 45 minutes. Cut up potatoes and add them in halfway through.

3. Meanwhile, when ham is cool enough, shred meat and set aside. Give rind and bone to the dogs.
While peas are simmering, heat oil or butter in large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add onions. Saute until soft. Add carrots and celery. Saute, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid evaporates and vegetables begin to brown, 5-6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter, garlic, and sugar. Cook vegetables, stirring frequently, until deeply browned, 30-35 minutes or until cooked but carrots still have a bite to them; set aside.

4. Add shredded ham to soup; simmer until potatoes are tender and peas dissolve and thicken soup; about 20 minutes more. Add vegetables. Season with ground black pepper.

The finished soup will thicken as it stands but can be thinned with water when reheated.

Categories: Old-Fashioned, Other Soups & Stews, Soups & Stews

Tags: Dutch

Submitted by: farmkat on June 11, 2011