Kitchen

[magicmoodz]

Many years ago, my aunt told me the trick to making good split pea soup is to use the juice in the roaster from cooking the ham instead of broth. She is right. I don't use garlic or potatoes--just the split peas, ham, ham juice, onions, carrots and celery.

And when I cook a ham, I don't add lots of crazy flavors like brown sugar or mustard. I sparingly use cloves--maybe 6-8 and then pour ginger ale over the ham during cooking.

I recently made soup and gave a container to my father-in-law. He was duly impressed and that takes some doing, since he is a really good cook.

[greamy]

An amish friend told us she uses the juice from pork chops she cooks and saves to put in her split pea soup. Never tried this myself, but it does sound like it would add nice flavor.

[luvdoodles]

Thanks for all the replies. I think next time I need to add a ham bone or ham hocks. I just used a ham steak. My soup was nice and thick though so I have that part down. I will try it again because it is so easy to make and it makes a lot.