It’s Still Cold Outside

          It seems to be cold and snowy just about everywhere in the U.S.  Even the southern states are experiencing weather that normally is part of the northern half of the country.  Right now when I ask my daughter what she wants for dinner she says something warm.  Soup is a universal warming food.  My daughter likes thick soup so I am going to share my Split Pea Soup recipe.

Split Pea Soup

1 lb. bag of Dried Green Split Peas

2 c. finely diced Onion

2 c. finely diced Carrots

2 Tbsp. Canola Oil

4 c. Low Sodium Vegetable or Chicken Stock

Water

½ to 1 tsp. Spice Islands Old Hickory Smoked Salt

1. Soak Split Peas in a bowl of cold Water for 1 hour.
2. In a pot Sauté Onions and Carrots in the Oil until Onions are translucent and Carrots are softened.
3. Add soaked Split Peas to the Onions and Carrots.
4. Add Stock and enough water to cover the Peas, Onions, and Vegetables.
5. Put the mixture on simmer.
6. When the Peas have lost their shape and they are a think soup consistency, add the Smoked Salt to taste.
7. Heat for another 10 minutes and serve.
8. If you want a smoother soup, put the mixture into a blender and puree.

Additional ways to make this soup:

You can add smoked ham hock after adding the stock.  When the soup is through cooking take the hock out and shred the meat.  Add the hock back into the soup.

or

Add cooked ham or chicken (about 2 c. cubed or shredded) with the Salt and make sure the meat is warmed through before serving.

I hope this warms you up.