Recipes

[novamc1]

INA GARTEN’s SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH KIELBASA—serves   6

• 6 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 2 cups chopped leeks, white and green parts (2)
• 2 cups (½-inch) diced carrots (3 large)
• 1½ cups chopped yellow onion (1 large)
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 1 lb dried green split peas
• 8 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade)
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 8 fresh thyme sprigs, tied with kitchen twine
• 2 large fresh bay leaves
• 12 oz smoked kielbasa, halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally into ¼-inch-thick pieces
• Minced fresh parsley, for garnish

__________________________________________________

Heat ¼ cup oil in a large (11- to 12-inch) pot or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add leeks, carrots and onion; cook 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until tender and starting to brown.

Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in peas to coat; cook 1 minute.

Add stock, 2 cups water, ham hock, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 1¼ hours, stirring occasionally, or until peas are very tender and falling apart. (After 45 minutes, stir more frequently, scraping bottom of the pot to be sure soup doesn’t burn.)

1. Discard thyme, bay leaves and ham hock. Transfer 2 cups soup to a food processor fitted with a steel blade; puree. Return puree to pot. Stir in more stock or water if soup is too thick.
2. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp oil in a medium saute pan over medium. Add kielbasa; cook 5–6 minutes or until browned, tossing occasionally. Serve soup garnished with kielbasa and parsley.

[roster]

Yes, preferably home made chicken stock, which I totally agree is much, much better than anything you buy on the shelf. However, 8 cups is a lot to make. If you've seen her chicken stock recipe, she calls for 5 chickens. Too much work for me. I make vegetable stock and use it.

Spend all day making chicken stock for one recipe. That's how most of Ina's recipes are. 

[PinkyPetunia]

I have made split pea soup many times.  If you have a ham hock and smoked sausage, that will give plenty of flavor so that all water can be used, or half water, half chicken stock.  

[PA Mom-mom]

@novamc1  That's pretty much basic split pea soup, but I never have to use the food processor (I don't have one). I like the idea of adding the kielbasa to make it hearty enough for my DH.

[aroc3435]

@roster   I suppose it depends on how much a person loves to cook.  Some do, some don't.I always have and I keep measured contaainers of from scratch chicken and seafood stock in the freezer.

I also keep a supply of jars of Better thaan Bouillon base in different flavors on hand when I'm out of stock or just need a little reconstituted to perk something up.

In terms of domestic skills the only thing I can sew is a button, or a simple hem by hand if it falls loose!

aroc3435

Washington, DC

[novamc1]

Next time I get the urge to make split pea soup, I'm going to the local Honey Baked Ham store and buy one of the ham bones they keep in a freezer case.  

I will simmer the bone for a long time and use the broth plus ham coming off the bone to make the soup, along with carrots, celery, onion and seasonings.

I've used  Honey Baked Ham bones for bean soup and have even tried their dry mixed bean soup mixture.  Very good and easy to make.

I suggest that anyone who has a HB Ham store in their area to learn about that store  and the many different things it can provide.  Excellent turkey and ham slices in any amount you want, boneless half-hams, turkey breasts, different side dishes and desserts, etc.  A great resource if you're hosting a party.

(But who can host parties these days without risking sickness?  Sigh...............)

Our local Costco store sells discounted HB Ham store gift cards--two $50 cards for 20-percent less.