Split Pea Soup With Pancetta Recipes

PARKER'S SPLIT PEA SOUP

Steps:

• In a 4-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. Add the carrots, potatoes, 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. 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.

HEARTY SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH BACON

Steps:

• Dice bacon into 1/4-inch cubes. Place in a heavy 6-quart pot over medium-low heat. Cook until fat is rendered and translucent. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic. Cook until onion and garlic are soft and translucent. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add split peas, stir to coat with fat, and add bay leaves and 2 quarts stock. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat so soup simmers. Skim foam that rises to the surface for about 10 minutes, until no more appears. Add thyme leaves. Simmer uncovered about 1 hour or longer, until peas are soft and starting to fall apart. Add more stock, as needed.
• Remove soup from heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Purée soup in a food processor in several batches, short of perfect smoothness; you should be able to spoon up some texture. Reheat soup, skimming off any foam. Stir from the bottom to mix well, then ladle into bowls and serve.

PEA SOUP WITH PANCETTA AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Spread the pancetta over the base of a medium soup pan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, rendering the fat, until browned on the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Pour off all but a thin coating of fat. Return to medium heat, and add the garlic and leek. Cook until soft on the edges. Add the peas, broth and 2 cups of water. Season with salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until the peas are just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the chives and tarragon. Let steep for 5 minutes. Ladle the soup in small batches into a blender and purée until smooth (because it is hot, turn the blender on low and hold the lid on tight). Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little lemon juice to sharpen the flavor. Meanwhile, break the bread into small croutons and toss in a bowl with olive oil, just to coat. Ladle soup into bowls and top each bowl with a little pancetta and a few croutons.