Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

I made a 10-pound ham last week and the Ziplock bag of perfect-for-sandwich slices I had cut off the bone had gone a couple of days without being touched— by anyone.

This is the point in a leftover’s life where I take it upon myself to sweep in like a triage nurse and save the poor vestige of a previous night’s dinner on its downhill slide into the garbage.

Split pea and ham soup had been calling my name for a couple of weeks and now I had the perfect excuse to make it. There is something about the way the little dried peas break down into a creamy mass that makes it one of my go-to comfort foods. Some take that inherent creaminess to another level and puree the whole thing, but I like to leave mine chunky, it seems more filling that way.

The color of pea soup is always used as an insult, but I think it has a subtle beauty that is well suited for the late winter table and apparently my family agrees, because there is none left. Another leftover tragedy  averted.

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Split Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

A rejuvenating split pea soup made for chilly winter nights.

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Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, medium diced
• 3 medium leeks, washed, cut in half vertically and thinly sliced (light green and white parts only)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, medium diced
• 2 stalks cerely, medium diced
• 12 ounces smoked ham, medium diced
• 1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed
• 12 cups stock, broth or water
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add onion, leek and garlic and season with black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. 
2. Add ham, carrot, and celery and season again with black pepper. Cook until veggies start to brown, about 6 minutes. 
3. Add peas, stock, and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered until peas are tender and starting to fall apart, about 1 hour. Taste and add salt and more pepper if necessary. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 331Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 955mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 6gSugar: 10gProtein: 23g

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