Moosewood Split Pea Soup Recipes

SPLIT PEA SOUP

Steps:

• If using bacon: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 12 to 13 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Once cool, crumble and set aside for garnish. If using ham hock: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, then brown the ham hock until golden, about 6 minutes. If making the soup vegetarian: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
• Add the onion, leeks and garlic and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. (If the vegetables seem dry, add a little olive oil.) Stir in the carrots, paprika (if using), half the split peas, thyme and 8 cups stock or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partly covered, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes until peas are tender.
• Mash the soup coarsely with a potato masher or give it a few quick blitzes with an immersion blender (watch out for the thyme sprigs). If you'd prefer a smoother soup, blitz until nearly smooth. Add the remaining 1/2 pound split peas and simmer about 1 hour, or until the peas are soft. If at any point the soup looks too thick, add more stock or water; if it looks too thin, remove the lid during the second simmer until it thickens. If using ham hocks, remove any meat from the bone, cut it into small cubes and stir into the soup. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with crumbled bacon, if using, and lemon wedges.

VEGETARIAN SPLIT PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Place first 5 ingredients in a large pot.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, partially covered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent split peas from sticking to bottom of pot.
• Add onions, garlic, celery, carrots and potato. (You can saute these first or add them in directly if you want a fat free soup).
• Partially cover and allow to simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.(You may need to add extra water).
• Season to taste with pepper and vinegar.
• Serve with a drizzle of sesame oil, diced tomato and minced parsley.

SPLIT PEA AND BARLEY SOUP

Steps:

• Pick over the split peas. Rinse, drain and place them in a saucepan. Cover with water to the depth of one inch, bring to a boil and cook for two minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to soften for one hour.
• Melt butter or oil in a large, heavy kettle. Add onion, celery and carrot and saute over medium heat until soft and just barely beginning to color. Drain and rinse the peas and add them. Add 10 cups of water and the bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook for one hour. Add the barley and continue cooking one hour longer.
• Stir the soup, add lemon juice and dill. Season to taste with salt (don't be surprised if you need quite a bit) and pepper. Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt if you wish.

MOOSEWOOD GOLDEN SPLIT PEA AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and jalapeno and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in ginger and next 4 ingredients and cook 1 minute.
• Mix in 7 cups water, sweet potatoes and split peas.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer about 1.5 hours until potatoes and peas are very tender.
• Whisk soup vigorously for a smoother texture and thin with additional water if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt, a lime slice and some cilantro to serve.