Embrace the cozy comforts of homemade soup with this recipe for making pea and ham soup from scratch. With simple ingredients and a bit of time on the stove, you can create a hearty and satisfying soup that warms both body and soul. Here’s the recipe for how to make it.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 pound of ham hock or leftover ham bone
- 1 pound of dried split green peas, rinsed and drained
- 8 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions”
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the ham hock or leftover ham bone to the pot, along with the dried split green peas and chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the peas are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
- Once the soup is cooked, remove the ham hock or bone from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Using an immersion blender or regular blender, carefully blend the soup until smooth and creamy, adjusting the consistency with additional broth if needed. While the soup is blending, remove any meat from the ham hock or bone and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Discard any excess fat or gristle.
- Return the chopped ham to the pot and stir to combine. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy!
