Newsletter # 67 – Big batch Split Pea and Ham Soup

Another winter warmer recipe that can look a little daunting but believe me, it is an almost foolproof recipe. You can make a half batch but purchase a ham hock closer to 1 kilo in weight. I served it with sliced sourdough bread, but it is also good with buttered toast.

Ingredients
Method
- Assemble your ingredients

- The day before place the split peas in a large bowl and cover with water

- The dried peas will soak up the water

- On the day, in a saucepan place the ham hock, vegetable stock, bay leaf and peppercorns

- Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 hours, until the ham starts to fall off the bone
- Remove the ham hock let it cool slightly
- Totally remove all the ham meat off the bone. Discard the skin, gristle and bone

- Dice the ham into rough 5mm pieces
- Strain the stock and keep warm
- In a separate large saucepan heat the olive oil and gently sweat the onions, carrot, celery and garlic for 10 minutes

- Meanwhile drain the soaked peas and give them another rinse with fresh cold water

- Add the peas to the vegetables, followed by the stock
- Bring the stock to the boil before adjusting the heat to simmering
- Simmer for 1/1.5 hours until the peas are tender and start breaking down
- Add the diced potato
- Add the ham
- Cook for a further 20 minutes
- Adjust consistency if needed with water
- Adjust seasoning
- Ready to serve

Notes
You can just use one types of dried peaAdditional vegetables that are suitable include parsnip, turnip and SwedeThis soup freezes exceptionally well

Thankyou Ken, definitely on my menu this week.