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Creamy Hearty Ham Bone Split Pea Soup

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A warm and comforting split pea soup simmered with a smoky ham bone, vegetables, and herbs, blended partially for a creamy texture. Perfect for cozy meals on chilly days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ham bone with some meat left on it
  • 1 ½ cups (340 g) dried split peas (green or yellow)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 6 cups (48 fl oz) chicken broth or stock (homemade or low-sodium)
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz) water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Optional: a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Dice the carrots, celery, and onion finely. Mince the garlic cloves. This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and carrots start to soften. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Rinse the split peas under cold water until the runoff is clear, then add them to the pot along with the chicken broth and water. Stir well to combine.
  4. Nestle the ham bone into the pot. Add bay leaves and thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over high heat, then reduce to low to maintain a simmer.
  5. Simmer the soup uncovered for about 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent peas from sticking. Add more water or broth if the soup thickens too much.
  6. Carefully remove the ham bone. Pick off any remaining meat with a fork and stir it back into the soup. Discard the bone and bay leaves.
  7. Use an immersion blender to puree about half the soup in the pot for a creamy texture. If using a regular blender, blend half the soup until smooth and return it to the pot. This takes about 5 minutes.
  8. Season with salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if desired. Simmer for another 5 minutes to marry flavors.
  9. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley or a swirl of cream if desired.

Notes

If you don’t have a ham bone, substitute with diced smoked ham or smoked turkey leg and adjust cooking time accordingly. Rinse split peas well to remove dust and reduce foam. Blend part of the soup for creamy texture without cream. Adjust salt carefully if ham bone is salty. Slow simmering is key for best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: split pea soup, ham bone soup, creamy soup, hearty soup, cozy meals, comfort food, easy soup recipe

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/creamy-hearty-ham-bone-split-pea-soup-easy-recipe-for-cozy-meals/