DUTCH SPLIT PEA SOUP

A-Z Soups.

Split peas make a superb soup. Years ago I see these old movies where the pilots are flying in fog and they always tell the control tower that visibility is poor because the fog’s “thick as pea soup”.

 Pea soup the way they make it in the Netherlands is indeed thick, moreover it is fragrant and a thorough pleasure to eat on a chilly, rainy day. Dutch split pea soup can be made in a slow cooker if you desire. Just imagine turning it on before you leave the house in the morning and returning to a wonderful nourishing soup.

Adapted from :      kayotic nl blog dutch split pea soup

Dutch Split Pea Soup                 Serves 6

• 1 pound of dried green split peas
• 2 quarts of water or thin ham broth
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 large onion
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced (2 cups)
• 1 large carrot sliced
• ½ pound cooked ham or ham hocks
• 1 pound of smoked sausage ( kielbasa, andouille, rookworst or other) sliced
• 3 ribs of celery sliced thinly
• Celery leaves, chopped finely for garnish

Method:

1. Sort through and wash and drain peas
2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large pot
3. Stick the cloves in the onions and add to pot
4. Bring to a boil, then simmer for one hour, stirring from time to time
5. Remove the onions and bay leaves
6. Puree the soup with a stick-blender or in batches in an electric blender
7. Add the potatoes, carrot, ham, sausage and celery
8. Simmer for 20 minutes
9. Check that potatoes and carrot are tender
10. Taste for salt and pepper
11. Garnish with celery leaves

Now that’s a proper Dutch split pea soup, thick and rich and hearty.

 Enjoy.