Hearty Split Pea & Potato Soup

Submitted by BoxOWine

"Comfort food at its best. Perfect for a snowy day. Freezes well so double the recipe and have on hand. I freeze it in gallon size ziplock freezer bags so it doesnt take up too much room. Lay flat in the freezer."

 

• Ready In: 5hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 1 lb split peas
• 8 cups cold water
• 1 can beef or 1 can chicken broth
• 1 ham bone
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
• 1⁄2 cup chopped celery
• 1 large potato, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• thinly sliced hot dogs or smoked sausage (optional)

directions

1. Rinse and soak green peas in cold water to cover for approx 2 hrs.
2. Drain peas.
3. Place peas, 8 cups water, and broth in large soup pot.
4. Stir in all remaining ingredients except salt and pepper.
5. Bring to boil over high heat, reduce to low heat, cover and simmer 2 1/2 hrs.
6. Remove and set aside ham bone.
7. Remove and discard bay leaf.
8. Strain peas and vegetables from soup and place in food processor or blender and puree.
9. Return puree mixture to soup.
10. Cut ham pieces from ham bone and return to soup.
11. (optional) Add thinly sliced hot dogs or smoked sausage pieces to soup.
12. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Reviews

[The_Swedish_Chef]

I liked the sound of this recipe so I went out, bought the ingredients and whipped it together. The funny thing was, on the package of Jack Rabbit brand split peas, was this IDENTICAL recipe! I guess if the pea company publishes it, it must be good! I liked it a lot, but added 1 teaspoon of Liquid Smoke to it, which greatly improved the depth of taste. *Wanted to Add that you do NOT need to soak split peas. All the packages say that so I've just dumped them in along with the ingredients when I make this soup.

 

[Marsha Mazz]

This was a nice recipe - and also very easy. However, like the other reviewers, I didn't want to puree the vegetables - I like my pea soup to be a bit more hearty, more like a stew. Also, I used vegetable stock, not water and beef or chicken broth - I think it gives the soup a fresher taste. I didn't add the hot dogs or sausage, but maybe I'll try it next time.

 

[Boca Pat]

I think I buy a ham just to make pea soup and this soup was wonderful. I used less water and added 2 cans of chicken broth and 1 can of beef broth. There was no need to puree it....it turned out perfect after cooking for about 3 hours. Thanks for a great recipe!!!

 

[Pooh Bear]

This recipe was very good! After soaking the peas and cooking them for 2 1/2 hours as directed I didn't need to put the soup in a food processor. The soup was very smooth already. And I happen to make it on a freezing cold and drizzly day so it was even better, thanks for posting. Very good directions by the way :)