Split Pea Soup

I was looking for a way to use a ham bone when I came across the concept of a split pea soup. I am sure that I have had split pea soup before but the fact that I do not remember seems to indicate that it did not impress me all that much. The soup was pretty easy to make though it did take a few hours of simmering. I am not sure what I was expecting but I got a really amazing soup! I had a second bowl as soon as I finished the first. Simmering the soup with the ham bone imparted the great ham flavour directly into the soup. I also enjoyed the flavour of the split peas themselves. The frozen peas that I had added worked really well in the soup adding contrasting flavour and texture. I garnished the split pea soup with some ham and chopped parsley.

After I made the split pea soup I came across this post which mentions using the ham bone to make ham stock. I had not even though about a ham stock but it sounds pretty good. I now know what I will be doing with my next ham bone.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion (chopped)
2 carrots (chopped)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 pound dried split peas
5 cups chicken stock (more if you prefer a less thick soup)
1 ham bone
3 bay leaves
1 sprig rosemary
1 spring thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup frozen peas
* ham (chopped)
* parsley (chopped)

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large stock pot.
2. Add the onions, carrots, celery and saute until tender.
3. Add the garlic and saute for a few minutes.
4. Add the dried split peas, stock, ham bone, bay leaves, rosemary, thyme and red pepper flakes.
5. Simmer covered for 2 hours.
6. Add the frozen peas and turn off the heat.
7. Remove the ham bone, bay leaves, rosemary sprig and thyme sprig from the soup.
8. Garnish with ham and parsley.

Similar Recipes:
Ham and Bean Soup
Ham and Lentil Soup

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