This soup is perhaps easy, however wow, is it scrumptious! Break up pea soup has been a New England favourite for ages, made with dried cut up peas and both a ham hock or some leftover ham. You possibly can mix it up for a clean, creamy texture or depart it chunky with hearty bits of veggies and ham. It’s a humble soup, but it surely’s simple to make and budget-friendly.
Serve it up with Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread or Garlic Parmesan Herb Dinner Rolls.
Why Our Recipe
- Wealthy and smoky goodness: Ham hocks carry meaty taste to each spoonful.
- Straightforward, one-pot meal: Toss all of it in, let it simmer, and also you’re golden.
- Texture Choices: Mix it till it’s clean and creamy or hold it chunky.
Break up pea soup is created from dried cut up peas which is how the soup will get its identify. However what concerning the cut up peas? That comes from the method used to protect them. They’re peeled, dried, and cut up. The colour of cut up pea soup varies between yellow and inexperienced, relying on the number of cut up peas used.
Ingredient Notes
- Salted Butter: When you solely have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.
- Onion: Use a white or yellow onion. Cube it into small items.
- Carrots: Child carrots work too, simply reduce them into smaller items for even cooking.
- Break up Peas: Break up peas are a dried pea that may be discovered bagged, within the dry meals part of your grocery store. They need to be positioned someplace close to the dried beans and lentils.
- Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility permits you to greatest management the flavour—it’s an important chef tip.
- Ham Hocks: When you can’t discover ham hocks, you should utilize a ham bone as an alternative. Or, to make issues simple, may use diced ham. Merely add within the diced ham after pureeing your soup.
Utilizing Dried Break up Peas
Break up peas, like lentils, don’t have to be soaked earlier than cooking. Beans require soaking previous to cooking, however as a result of these are peas they can be utilized instantly within the recipe. It’s nonetheless a good suggestion to rinse your peas completely earlier than cooking to take away any grime particles and pick something that’s shriveled.
Ham Hocks and Choices
This recipe makes use of ham hocks. They’re low-cost and what retains this soup humble. Throwing them in your soup is tremendous simple and brings quite a lot of taste with somewhat little bit of meat. You’re principally making your personal ham inventory!
You possibly can use diced ham as an alternative for those who can’t discover ham hocks or don’t wish to use them. This may be leftover ham or you should buy diced ham. Merely add it in after pureeing your soup. Return the soup to a simmer to permit the ham to warmth by.
When you’d prefer to get two meals in a single, you may as well use the ham bone the day after you’ve had a scrumptious ham dinner. Strip the ham off the bone and save for garnish.
Chunky vs Clean
Historically, this soup is served as a clean purée, however we love somewhat added texture. Simply skip the final step the place you pour it into the blender and also you’ve nonetheless received the smoothness of the bottom however with these yummy vegetable chunks and items of salty, savory ham.
Storage and Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Freeze the cooled soup in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag, leaving area on the high for enlargement. Freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day.
Reheat on the range over medium-low warmth till warmed by.
Reheat within the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between every for even heating.