Description
Hearty Pea and Ham Soup brings rustic warmth to dinner tables with its rich, comforting blend of smoky ham and tender green peas. Simmered slowly and seasoned perfectly, this classic soup offers pure satisfaction that connects home cooks to generations of delicious tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 smoked ham hock (or 1 pound diced ham)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
Soup Base and Seasonings:
- 1 pound dried green split peas
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat and gently sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until they become soft and fragrant, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce the ham hock, split peas, chicken broth, and bay leaves into the pot, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Elevate the liquid to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce the temperature to low, cover the pot, and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 1.5-2 hours, periodically checking that the peas are breaking down and the soup is developing a rich, thick consistency.
- After simmering, carefully extract the ham hock from the soup and remove the meat from the bone, shredding it into tender pieces using two forks.
- Return the shredded ham to the pot, incorporating it evenly throughout the soup.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Choose a meaty ham hock with plenty of connective tissue for richer, more flavorful soup.
- Consider soaking split peas overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
- For a lighter version, swap ham hock with smoked turkey or lean ham to reduce fat content.
- Vegetarian adaptation possible by replacing ham with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and additional root vegetables for depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg