Pea and Ham Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 lb (450 g) dried split peas, rinsed
1 ham bone or 2 cups diced ham
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Sauté Aromatics:
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Split Peas and Ham:
Stir in the rinsed split peas, ham bone or diced ham, chicken or vegetable broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Bring to a boil.
Simmer Soup:
Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the split peas are tender and the soup has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove Ham Bone (if using):
If you used a ham bone, remove it from the pot and strip off any remaining meat. Chop the meat and return it to the soup, discarding the bone.
Season and Serve:
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
