I was a split pea soup ‘virgin’ until today. As a child, I was scared away by the green color (that and I hated peas) and then when I was older, I still wouldn’t eat it because I was a vegetarian and my mother always made hers with a ham bone. Scott, however, grew up on split pea soup and has been asking me to try my hand at it for a while. After seeing Shelby’s spilt pea soup posts, I knew it was time I tried it. I LOVE IT! Thanks, Shelby!
Makes 6 cups
Ingredients:
2 leeks or 1 large onion, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced - optional
1lb dry split peas (about 2 1/4 cups)
6 cups veg broth
2 whole garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
paprika & lemon zest - garnish
Directions:
1. Line a large pot with a thin layer of water
2. Saute leeks or onions with celery until soft and water has mostly evaporated
3. Transfer onions or leeks and celery to a blender
4. Add broth, split peas, garlic and bay leaves to the pot
5. Bring to a boil
6. Reduce to low and simmer 30 minutes or until peas are soft but not overly mushy
7. Fish out the garlic and place in blender
8. Fish out leaves and throw away
9. Spoon 1/2 of pea soup and transfer to blender
10. Blend peas, onions or leeks, celery and garlic until smooth and creamy
11. Return puree to pot
12. Stir to combine, salt and pepper to taste
13. Heat on low until soup is warm
14. Garnish with paprika and lemon zest
Total Cost to make this recipe: $4.84!!
Taggin’
I’ve also been tagged by a few fellow bloggers to share 7 things about myself:
- I have an irrational fear of Teddy Bears. I’m especially freaked out by those Build-a-Bear shops.
- I can’t watch a movie that takes place in NYC without feeling horribly homesick.
- I write to my sister in code. We came up with a symbolic alphabet in middle school.
- I have TV marathons. I’ll watch 7 to 10 episodes in a row on DVD instead of tuning in each week.
- I really enjoy sneezing.
- I call ‘famous’ people (who I don’t know) by their first name if I really like them. For instance, we went to a Ben Folds concert last week and I kept referring to him as “Ben” instead of “Ben Folds.”
- I read gossip magazines on the treadmill. There, I said it.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
#6 and 7 are fun!!!
have a nice day~
I felt the same way about movies taking place in NYC when I was living in Hawaii. I definitely started crying in a movie theater or two.
I love split pea soup! I was a virgin or it until recently also
Oh man, I didn’t read all your facts and commented prematurely, I ADORE Ben Folds. I went to see him with my brother in the city the day his CD came out in September. I call him Ben too! I figure I’ve been listening to him for almost half my life, it’s allowed.
Nice photo of the split pea soup. I surprised it’s not more green. I like how you priced it out. I’m always looking for frugal recipes.
Letha
Letha, I think my peas and lighting are to blame. My soup didn’t come out the way I remembered my mothers (which was a pale but still deep green) and the lighting in my apartment always makes my soups come out lighter than they look… It was slightly green-er in person, but still not as green as I expected. I used organic split peas.
Yummy yummy soup! I hope you didn’t sneeze in it!
I’m also a pea soup virgin. I’m convinced I hate peas. I don’t even remember the last time I ate peas…many many moons ago.
Jason’s mom adds barley to her split pea soup for texture and it’s really yummy….
oh, and I read smut mags on the treadmill, too. There, I said it.
Before today, I didn’t know #5 or #7…
I used to hate split pea soup too, actually I didn’t ever try it I just smelled it and didn’t like it.
But YUM! I loove your version and I’ll have to try it next time.
I adore split pea soup
Such a great wintery recipe. Lentil soup is great as well. Actually I don’t know if I can even taste the diff 
Leeks are definitely a good addition. Carrots would be too!
I love split pea soup…my mom used to make it all the time. Your recipe looks great! I am glad you tried it, and even happier that you liked it!
Courtney
People tend to not like Split Pea soup because it looks like baby food. It’s still tasty! Get over what it looks like.
Hi Lindsay!
I found your blog while searching online for vegan nacho cheese sauce. I made your recipe and it was AMAZING. It is pure cooking genius. I’ve had Mexican food for dinner every night since I found it! My omni friends and boyfriend actually thought it was real nacho cheese and were stunned to find out it was vegan. They said that it was much better than any of that canned nacho cheese stuff. I just wanted to let you know how much of a hit it was. I’m going to get around to purchasing your cookbooks very soon!
Thanks for sharing!
Hahah, thanks for sharing such great facts! =)
I too am guilty of reading gossip mags while at the gym–they just make the time go by so much faster!
$4.84 is a bargain for that awesome pot of soup. My mom used to make it when I was a kid as well, and I still love it, sans ham of course! I read gossip magazines at the hair salon. I tell myself it’s because there’s nothing else, but secretly I enjoy them!
a tv marathon sounds like a lot of fun!!! if i ever do that, it’s with curb your enthusiasm. i just love that show.
Never had split pea soup????? Well I’m glad you’ve discovered its greatness.
Hi, first time visiting your wonderful blog. I just wanted to mention that my husband makes his pea soup with smoked chipotle’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipotle). He adds two or three of them after first soaking them in hot water for 10-minutes to reconstitute them. It adds some of that smoky ham-bone-like quality that might be appealing. Also, adding carrots might help to darken the color of the soup, since the recipe here calls for leeks and celery, which could lighten the body of the soup. Just thought I would share my two-bits, as I LOVE split-pea soup!!
I’ve always liked pea soup but for some reason, maybe the dried peas are too old, my peas never cook properly. Your soup sounds so good, I’ll have to get some fresh ones and try again.
Mmm, looks delicious. Leeks are a perfect idea.
Yum! This inspired me to give it a try. I made a few changes–I love adding carrots and potato to mine. http://devilsworkshopcrafts.blogspot.com/
I have been reading your site for a while, but didn’t catch this until looking for recipes tonight. I, ALSO, refer to Ben as Ben. I mean, how can you call him Ben Folds when you love him so! Yes, I’m a crazy Ben Folds fan. He’s coming to Pittsburgh on the 16th of February and I’m so excited I don’t know how I will make it!
Anyway, I love your site and wanted to say Hi!