Uncle Bill's Green Split Pea With Hambone Soup

William (Uncle Bill) Anatooskin's Note:

This is my old fashioned style soup and is always enjoyed especially during the cold weather.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 8 cups water
• 1 large ham bone
• 2 cups green dried split peas
• 2 large carrots , peeled and diced small
• 2 medium onions , chopped small
• 2 large celery ribs , include leaves, chop small
• 1 large bay leaf
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns , crushed
• 1 pinch dried thyme

Directions:

1. Rinse peas well in cold water and add to a large cooking pot.
2. Measure 8 cups of water and add to cooking pot.
3. Bring to boil, remove from heat, cover and let sit for 1 hour.
4. Return to stove and bring back to boil.
5. Add ham bone, carrots, onions, celery, bay leaf, beef bouillon, salt, peppercorns and dried thyme.
6. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove ham bone and cut off any remaining ham, cut into bite size pieces and return to soup.
8. Discard ham bone.
9. If there are big pieces of ham in the soup, remove, cut into bite size pieces and return to soup.
10. Remove bay leaf and discard.
11. Adjust seasonings to taste.
12. If you desire a smooth soup, then puree' in batches in a food processor or blender.
13. Or eat the soup without puree'ing.
14. If soup is too thick, add more water to your desired consistency.
15. Beef broth or chicken broth may be added, just reduce the water by the amounts used.
16. Smoked ham hocks are excellent to use instead of a ham bone.
17. If there is not enough ham on the ham bone, then add additional ham of your choice.
18. You may also use about 1/4 teaspoon of Liquid Hickory Smoke, to get a smokey flavor.
19. You may also use whole peas, but it will take a bit longer to cook these peas so that they are tender.

Reviews

[TasteTester]

This is one of the best-tasting soups I've ever made. I used some chicken broth, as you mentioned -- about 6 cups low-sodium broth and 2 cups water. I didn't have to adjust any of the seasonings or proportions in the recipe -- I can always count on Uncle Bill to post a recipe that is a 10-star; I never make one and then think I will tweak it next time. They're always perfect just as written. I pureed half of the soup in the blender; this made a nice and thick soup with still some texture. The three of us finished this in one night, with some crusty rolls. I can't wait to make it again, it's SO good. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

[newtocookingm&m]

Not that I would start ordering this at restaurants but this split pea soup's flavor was very good and I loved how healthy it is! My 1.5 year old boy asked for more! I was surprised I enjoyed it, since I am not a big fan of gritty texture that beans and split peas have. I will probably make again since it wont be the last time I buy a large ham it was great using all of the ham and the tiny pieces that break off the ham. Thanks for making it so simple! I did use extra carrots, celery, and thyme. I used 2 bay leafs and 3 beef bouillon cubes. Thanks again!

[Slingmama]

My family swore they hated split pea soup, but I love it so I made this recipe. Well, I now have a family of converts. Everyone loved it!!!! Thank you!