Thursday, February 14, 2013

Split Pea Soup

Good friend David from Big Daddy Dave had his right hip replaced and we asked what we could do to help and his wife, Laurie, suggested Thick As Fog Split Pea Soup.  After researching, most recipes I could find began with a soup mix of the same name from Bean Cuisine, which Laurie confirmed is what she used then added some ham and potatoes.  Unfortunately Bean Cuisine is out of business so I went in search of recipes, found four that sounded promising, then narrowed it to one with some help from another.  Those for thick as fog and regular split pea soup seemed the same to me.

The recipe I used was Peter Parker's Pea Soup from Ina Garten Recipe which I found on cookeatshare.com then double and modified to end up with the following.

Thick As Fog Split Pea Soup Ala Larry – adapted from cookeatshare.com – Judy Fisher
 
Ingredients
2 T. olive oil
2 onions, diced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 t. oregano
2 bay leaf
3 t. kosher salt
2 t. freshly ground pepper
2 lb. of green split peas, covered with water, soaked for 4 hours, drained
5 carrots, diced
4 stalks of celery, diced
8 - 12 cups chicken stock, divided (original recipe uses 16 cups)
1 piece smoked country ham hock (Benton’s)
2 cup yukon gold potatoes, diced (all we had was russet)
2 lb. center slice ham, diced

Directions
1. In soup pot, heat oil and saute onions, garlic, oregano, bay leaf, salt and pepper for 5-10 minutes, until onion is translucent.

2. Add diced vegetables (except potatoes), peas, hock, and 8 cups stock, stir and bring to a boil.  This is the pieces of hock.

3. Simmer uncovered for 50 minutes, skimming off foam and stirring occasionally to keep from sticking to bottom of pot.

4. Add potatoes and ham and cook for 30 minutes.

5. Add additional stock as needed to get desired thickness (I added 2 more cups for a total of 10). Adjust seasonings before serving.

This is my first of two bowls - I needed to add the whole 12 cups of broth as it was a little too thick.

To my knowledge, I’ve never made split pea soup and only eaten it once when my son made it.  I’d bought the peas several months ago in anticipation of making it and Laurie’s request finally provided the impetus and I’m glad it did.  I don’t know if the Thick As Fog mix contains other flavors or if it’s just thick soup which is what I assumed.  I can’t say for sure this is really Thick As Fog Split pea Soup but what I can say is that it is thick split pea soup, I loved it, and will make it again - Bev said not to bother for her.  Laurie advised they added a little Hot Shot Pepper Mix to theirs, which I believe I’ll do to ours as well. 

One of the recipes I looked at topped their soup with a couple of Gouda Crostini’s which sound like a great idea but we had neither the bread nor the cheese - next time for sure.

I'm now responding to your comments and hoping you will stop back by - photos best if enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

2/2/13 meal date

18 comments:

  1. I love being able to help people out with supplying them with food! It just makes you feel so good! I will admit, I have never had split pea soup before... one of these days maybe I'll put aside my fear and just try it!!

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    1. You may want to try it in a restaurant as it seems to be a like it or don't dish with little in between.

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  2. That was so nice of you. I am not a big fan of split pea soup, though any other legume will do just fine!

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    1. Thanks Pam - you're not alone with your feelings for this soup.

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  3. I'm like you, I think I've had it once. And I think I made it. I don't remember potatoes, and remember thinking it was "ok". If you'd make it again, I better try this recipe. Speedy recovery to your friend Dave.

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  4. This is great that you're helping your friend out with a fave soup! My hubby would love this, but I won't be making it ever. Happy Valentine's Day!

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    1. Thanks Pam - maybe I should send your hubby some next time.

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  5. Larry, Thanks for sharing this great Split Pea Soup with us! It gave me comfort for sure as I'm going through the healing process. It was every bit as good as Laurie's version...I just added Tabasco as usual! Sorry that this wasn't Bev's "cup of soup"... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  6. One of our favorite soups! Whenever I have a ham bone I always make a pot of split pea soup. I'm sure this will help with your friend's recovery. Sure would make me feel better.

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  7. I absolutely love split pea soup. I'll buy a smoked ham shank just to make it :) What a great idea for a get-well gift.

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  8. Spit pea soup is a nemesis of mine. I've made it 3 times and didn't care for any of those but I love it from Campbells. Go figure ;)

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  9. The version I made was Ertwen Soup - the Dutch equivalent. It has ham stock and bacon plus smoked sausage. It excludes the potatoes, but adds celery root. The only spice and herbs are from the stock.

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  10. The version I made was Ertwen Soup - the Dutch equivalent. It has ham stock and bacon plus smoked sausage. It excludes the potatoes, but adds celery root. The only spice and herbs are from the stock.

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  11. Ne pas négliger le poivre, un bon poivre noir de qualité peut faire la différence.

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