Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Halloween 2011 and Easy-Peasy, Delicious Split Pea Soup!

 First the food:
Halloween night means easy dinner.  My split pea soup is just that: easy-peasy and so tasty.  
Plus it’s sort of ghoulish looking don’t you think?   
And this is a no-waste dish if you can find your peas in bulk. 

Ingredients
-3 cups dried split peas (soaked in filtered water 4 – 6 hours)
-1/2 pound high quality, organic ham, coarse dice
-1 medium yellow onion, small chop
-4 carrots, chopped
-6 cups filtered water
-3/4 teaspoon salt
-2 teaspoons garlic granules
-Fresh ground pepper  
-Oil (of choice) – enough to coat pot
-2 bay leaves, removed before serving

How To
1.  In large pot, add oil, salt, and onions, saute for 5 minutes.
2.  Add ham, saute for a few minutes with onions. 
3.  Add carrots and garlic granules, saute for 1 minute. 
4.  Drain and rinse peas, add to pot.
5.  Add water (or broth of choice).  Make sure the peas are covered, start with 5 cups and add more water if needed.
6.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down to a soft simmer and cover.  Simmer covered for about an hour.  Give soup a stir now and then. 
7.  Uncover and soft simmer for another 30 minutes.  
8.  You’ll know when the soup is ready, the peas will be soft and creamy.
9.  Stir in some fresh ground black pepper. 
10.  Soup will thicken greatly as it cools. 


Notes
*This dish can easily be made vegetarian, and I have made it thus many times.  I omit the ham and add homemade vegetable broth in place of the water. 
 I was inspired by Maggie’s zombie eyeball cupcakes and so made these for dessert.  I used my own carob cupcake and vegan frosting recipes though (not ready to give my son chocolate yet, especially with his eczema acting up).  My kids thought they were very fun!

************************** 
Happy Halloween to one and all.  We had a nice day.  Beautiful weather.  I personally love Halloween, which is strange because I’m a huge scaredy cat.  I enjoy dressing up, I do every year and probably will forever.   
Observing chimpanzees, or what are those neighbors doing?!
I was excited to wear my Doc. Martens again!
I love Jane Goodall!!

My handsome husband accountant
And my cute little runaway chimpanzee, George
Shared on: Sunday Night Soup Night 
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Posted by Amber at

Labels: fall cuisine, holidays, soups.

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