A hearty old-fashioned split pea soup made with a smoky ham hock, Smithfield ham, carrots, celery and fresh thyme. Slowly simmering the peas with the ham produces a thick, satisfying soup that's especially good on a cold day.
Servings: About 6–8
Prep Time: About 20 minutes, plus overnight soaking
Cook Time: About 2 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried split peas
- 1 ham hock
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup finely chopped celery
- ½ cup finely chopped carrots
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 pound Smithfield ham, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 cups water, plus more as needed
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
Instructions:
- Place the split peas in a large pot or bowl and cover with water by about 2 inches. Soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
- Score the ham hock and place it in a pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
- In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
- Add the celery and carrots and continue cooking until just softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ham hock and chopped ham. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the ham begins to brown.
- Add the drained split peas, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
- Add 8 cups water, the bay leaf and fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour, or until the split peas are very tender and the soup has thickened.
- Add additional water during cooking if the soup becomes too thick or dry.
- Remove the bay leaf and ham hock. If desired, remove any usable meat from the ham hock, chop or shred it and return it to the soup.
- Taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving.
Tip: Split pea soup will continue to thicken considerably as it cools and when refrigerated. When reheating leftovers, add a little water or broth until it returns to the consistency you like.
Source: Food Network