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Cozy Split Pea Soup with Smoked Ham Hock

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A warm and smoky split pea soup featuring a smoked ham hock that simmers slowly to create a creamy, comforting meal perfect for cold weather.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) green split peas, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 large smoked ham hock (about 1 to 1.5 lbs / 450-700g)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth or stock (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1–2 cups (240–480 ml) water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Rinse the split peas under cold water until the water runs clear. Chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent. Add garlic during the last minute and cook until fragrant.
  3. Add the rinsed split peas to the pot and stir to coat with the aromatics. Nestle the smoked ham hock among the peas and vegetables.
  4. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth and 1 cup water. Add bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Reduce heat to low and partially cover the pot. Simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes and adding water if the soup becomes too thick or sticks to the bottom. Peas should become tender and start breaking down.
  6. Remove the ham hock and let it cool slightly. Shred the meat off the bone, discarding skin and bones. Stir the shredded ham back into the soup.
  7. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. For a smoother texture, mash some peas with a spoon or pulse with an immersion blender, but keep some chunkiness.
  8. Let the soup rest off heat for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot with crusty bread or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overblend the soup to maintain a hearty texture. Season at the end to avoid tough peas. Add water or broth during simmering if soup thickens too much. Use quality smoked ham hock for best flavor. The soup can be made vegetarian by omitting ham hock and adding smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: split pea soup, smoked ham hock, cozy soup, winter recipe, comfort food, easy soup, homemade soup

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-split-pea-soup-with-smoked-ham-hock-easy-homemade-recipe-for-cold-weather/