Wow, I had no idea how long it has been since my last entry! The winter season is just flying by! I have been so busy in the kitchen, and have so much to share. Snow days are so much fun at my house. I love knowing that there is a giant snowstorm on the way! I even go so far as to write a menu for that day, and spend a few days prepping. Snow days are a day of indulgence around here. It's that kind of day where you are allowed to have that glass of your favorite wine at eleven in the morning, why not, you're not going anywhere anyway!
Good solid winter food is the name of the game on a day like this. A nice lunch item on this special day is a ridiculously hearty soup. For me, that means split pea and ham soup. This is truly a coma inducing soup. First thing is to gather all of your ingredients......
Split Pea and Ham Soup
1. One Cup Diced Onion
2. One Half Cup Diced Carrot
3. One Half Cup Chopped Celery
4. Three Small Smoked Hocks
5. Two Tablespoons Minced Garlic
6. Two Teaspoons Kosher Salt
7. 1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
8. Two Tablespoons Thyme
9. One Bay Leaf
10. One Pound Split Yellow Peas
11. Eight Cups Chicken Stock
12. Two Ham Steaks Diced
Start off by sweating the onion, celery and carrot in a large pot with a little butter or oil. You want to do this over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes.
Keep the mixture moving so you don't burn the vegetables to the bottom of the pan. Next, add the minced garlic. Be careful at this point. Garlic can burn very easily and ruin the whole dish.
Cook everything for about two minutes. Now you can add everything else except the diced ham steaks.
Your house or apartment will smell so good!
Cook the soup over medium heat until the peas are tender, about an hour or so. Most recipes call for pureeing the soup, or at least part of it. I just use a potato masher and go at it until it is the desired consistency. Add the diced ham steak and let it rest for twenty minutes. Present it anyway you like. I love this soup with warm Challah and celery leaves.
Enjoy! This is a multi-blog kind of day! Next is cheddar jalapeno sausage, mushroom duxelles, roasted chicken and beef barley soup. Peace!
