Pun totally intended.
HA!
We are soup lovers in this house and since every member of the family has been struck with illnesses for the past couple weeks, I started whipping up some of our favorites. Chicken Noodle Soup for the little ones and Split Pea per the husbands request. He had one hell of a case of the Man Flu. (cue screams from women everywhere) Just kidding..kind of – he was really sick with strep throat and all he has been asking for was split pea soup. I had a major fail the last time I tried making it for him and haven’t been able to eat it since. But I forged through the pain and memories of scraping burnt split peas off my favorite pot and made the most delicious, easiest version of Split Pea Soup we’ve ever had. No more ham hocks or flanking (I still don’t even know what it is, but my husband loves that version) for this gal.
All you need is a little bacon and you are in business!
Easy Peasy Split Pea Soup
- 1 bag Green Split Peas
- 3 Carrots, chopped
- 1 Celery, chopped
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 4-6 strips Bacon, chopped
- 5 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 large (or 2 small) Potato, chopped in chunks
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Step 1: Clean peas under cold water. Give them a good rinse and make sure there isn’t anything yucky in the bag. Reserve in a colander.
Step 2: In a large pot or dutch oven, heat chopped bacon over medium-high heat. Once the bacon is browned, add chopped carrots, celery and onion. Cook till onions are translucent.
Step 3: Add chicken broth, green peas, bay leaf and potatoes. Give it a good stir and bring to a rolling boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minute to an hour.
Step 4: Take an immersion blender and begin blending soup. Simply take the blender and go around doing small pulses. You can keep some chunks in there or if you like it smooth, continue to blend. If you do not have an immersion blender, simply put half the soup in a regular blend, pulsing, then return to soup mixture.
Step 5: Taste & adjust seasonings as desired. I only added about a dime size amount of salt and some pepper. The bacon gives the Split Pea Soup some nice saltiness!
Step 6: Serve & eat! We like to eat them with oyster crackers or fresh bread for dipping.
Whether you are making this for the manliest man with the most wicked case of man flu or just because you love it, this Split Pea Soup will definitely hit the spot with out the whole ordeal of getting a ham hock. The bacon still gives you that nice ham flavor and I mean, it’s BACON! Who doesn’t love the deliciously, smokey taste of bacon?!
Stay soupy my friends…
-Amanda
