Split Pea Soup

Yield: 10-12 servings

This is one of my favorite soups. It is easily converted into half a recipe for 5-6 servings. It thickens once refrigerated, so just add a bit of water or stock when reheating it to achieve your desired consistency. If you have a ham hock, add it to the pot in Step 2. It will lend tremendous flavor and whatever meat falls off the bone. Delicious either way!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups medium-diced carrots (6 to 8 carrots)
  • 2 cups medium-diced red boiling potatoes, unpeeled (6 small)
  • 2 pounds dried split green peas
  • 16 cups chicken stock, vegetable stock or water

Procedure:

  1. In an 8-quart stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with the olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper until the onions are translucent, 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Add the carrots, potatoes, 1 1/2 pound of split peas, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Skim off the foam while cooking.
  3. Add the remaining split peas and continue to simmer for another 40 minutes, or until all the peas are soft. Stir frequently to keep the solids from burning on the bottom. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Source The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

4 Responses to Split Pea Soup

  1. Shirley Gilbert February 22, 2010 at 4:41 pm #

    Hi Kris: This looks really yummy and, yes, I’m a huge fan of the Barefoot Contessa…I love her relationship with her husband…so warm and affectionate. Arnold loves split pea soup so I’ll definitely try this. Hope we get to see you when Lisa’s in town! So fascinated by what you’re doing these days.

    Shirley

  2. Bradley Charbonneau April 8, 2013 at 10:10 am #

    Yummmm! It’s only 10 AM, but I’m starving … maybe just reading this helped. I’m a huge split pea soup fan, like candy soup to me. Carrots, huh? I don’t know if I’ve used carrots, but I’ve never said no to a carrot.

    “16 cups of … ” is this enough to feed my block? Sheesssshhhh!

    Can’t wait to make this.

  3. Lisa June 2, 2013 at 10:32 pm #

    David and I made this soup last night. With yellow split peas vs green. Used bacon as we couldn’t find a ham hock in Prague 😉 Super yummy with some nice crusty french bread! Will now have it for the week!

    Brad made my laugh. We had to cut it in half or we’d also be feeding the block!

    Lis

  4. Kristen Desmond June 7, 2013 at 8:39 am #

    Hi Lisa and David! So glad you liked it. Way to work the substitutes. na zdraví!

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