Bea,
Welcome to DiscussCooking!!! We're the nicest bunch of people around so you don't have to worry about that!!! You are doing everything just perfect! Now, for that ham and pea soup - here are a few:
SPLIT PEA SOUP
8 cups water
1 pound dried split peas (about 2-1/4 cups)
1 to 2 lb smoked ham (or a couple smoked ham hocks)
1 med onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 or 3 carrots chopped
2 or 3 stalks celery chopped
Heat water and peas to boiling. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and cover. Let sit for 1 hour.
Add ham (whole), onion, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 1 hour.
Remove ham and trim meat from bone. (I usually use 1 lb boneless smoked ham). Cut ham to 1/2 inch pieces. Stir ham, carrots, and celery into soup. Cover and simmer until veggies are tender, about 45 minutes.
It freezes well.
GREEN SPLIT PEA SOUP
Serves 4-6
16 Ounces dry green split peas
2 Scallions, chopped
1 Small onion, chopped
¾ Cup celery, chopped
5 Cups water
5 Cups chicken broth
½ Teaspoon thyme
4-6 Ounce ham shank
4 Cloves garlic
1 Bay leaf
1. In a large pot, bring the water and chicken broth to a boil.
2. Rinse the beans and drain. Add them to the pot and stir.
3. Remove the thick skin of fat surrounding the ham and
discard. Trim as much fat as possible. Add the meat to the pot.
4. Add the scallions, onion, garlic, celery, bay leaf and thyme.
Return the pot to a boil and simmer for 1 hour.
5. Remove the meat from the pot and dice into bite size pieces.
Set aside.
6. Remove the bay leaf and puree the liquid in a blender and
return it to the pot. Return the meat to the pot and simmer
for another ½ hour, stirring as it cooks. Serve hot.
Split Pea Soup
Portions: 8-10
1 pound split green peas
2 quarts water
2 large smoked ham hocks
2 onions, finely chopped
2 large potatoes, diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp.
Instructions:
1. Rinse the split peas and combine with all other ingredients in a large pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and cook for 1 hour. Remove ham hock bones and cook 1 hour.
3. Freeze unused portions.
Recipe is easily halved or doubled with cooking time remaining the same.
Good luck Bea and Happy Cooking! Thanks for stopping by DiscussCooking. Hang around with us and share your favorite recipes!
