How to make Easy Split Pea Soup
As a child, I always imagined that making homemade soup would be difficult and time-consuming. When I began to learn how to cook in college, I found it surprisingly fun and therapeutic. Our Easy Split Pea Soup is just that. All you need is 15 minutes to chop and sauté before everything goes into the stockpot. While simmering, your home will be filled with the aromas of homemade soup.
The color of split pea soup may not be very appealing to most. However, it does deliver comforting flavors and a healthy dose of nutrition on a cold day. Split peas are loaded with protein, fiber, and B vitamins, which help increase energy levels, lower cholesterol, and strengthen the immune system.
Ingredients
16 (cup) servings
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1/2 c celery, chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 c carrots, chopped
- 1 ham bone (leave some ham on the bone for added flavor)
- 1-pound dried split peas
- 48 oz. chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- salt, to taste
- fresh ground pepper, to taste
Directions
- In a medium stockpot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, celery, sweet potato, onion, and carrots. Sauté until tender.
- Add ham bone, chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a medium simmer.
- Rinse the split peas under cold water. Add peas to stock pot stirring occasionally for 45 minutes or until they are tender.
- Remove ham bone.
- Use a hand-held immersion blender to combine all ingredients until smooth.
- Taste the soup prior to seasoning. The ham provides an abundance of flavor.
- Season with salt and pepper.