Mimi's Split Pea Soup

Submitted by kitty.rock

"This is my mom's recipe for her favorite soup. Since I never liked split peas as a kid, I never ate it. But since growing up, I've found it to be delicious. I make this with chicken or vegetable broth for a more flavorful soup. Serve with warm crusty bread."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter (optional) or 2 tablespoons margarine (optional)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 large carrots, washed and coarsely chopped
• 1 celery rib, finely chopped
• 1 lb dried split peas
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 2 quarts chicken broth or 2 quarts vegetable broth
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced (optional)
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and 1-inch cubed
• 1⁄2 cup pearl barley
• 1 ham hocks (optional) or 1 smoked turkey wings (optional)

directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot.
2. Bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer, covered, for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until peas are soft. Add potatoes and barley the last 25 minutes of cooking time.
3. Stir from bottom occasionally and skim foam off top if it accumulates.
4. Once peas, potatoes and barley are tender, remove pot from heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
5. If using ham hock (or turkey wing), remove from soup, let cool and cut meat from bone. Finely chop meat and set aside.
6. Ladle soup in batches into a blender or processor.
7. Blend/process 2 to 3 seconds only.
8. Return soup to pot, stir in ham (or turkey).
9. Reheat (if necessary) and serve.

Reviews

[littlemafia]

I've tried a few recipes too recently and I liked this one the best. I believe that a good split pea soup should have just a few ingredients and nothing fancy and this had it all. I forgot to put on the lid, so I didn't need to add the barley as it was quite thick already. I liked the addition of potatoes. I skipped the butter ,the garlic and I used water .

 

[leigh_vaughan]

I have been searching for 3 years for a good split pea soup recipe and this is by far the best. My husband was hesitant at first but he loves this one. Great on cold days and warms you from the inside out. We used hamhocks and no barley and will try it with smoked ham next time....can't wait!!! Thanks Mimi!

 

[meg1021]

This soup is awesome!...Well received by both family and friends...my eight month old grandson loved it... had a ham hock, but no barley... maybe next time...

 

[Annacia]

This got 5 stars from both DH and DS. Very easy to make and it perfumed the house wonderfully while cooking. I made 2 servings and it made huge ones. DH couldn't eat all of his but he tucked it away in the fridge for his lunch tomorrow. DS has ask for the recipe. I didn't get a pic because they attacked it while I was making my dinner. When I said "HEY! I need a pic" DH got all puppy dog looking and said "But I want to eat it while it's warm". *sigh*. It was a true hit though.