Split Peas Soup: A Hearty and Delicious Dish
Ingredients:
– 2 cups of split peas
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 carrots, diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 4 cups of vegetable broth
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
1. Start by rinsing the split peas under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for an additional minute.
4. Now, add the split peas, vegetable broth, bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1-1.5 hours or until the split peas are tender. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Once the split peas are cooked, remove the bay leaves from the pot. At this point, you can use an immersion blender to blend the soup to your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer half of the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and then return it to the pot.
7. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
9. Serve the split peas soup hot and garnish with fresh herbs or croutons if desired.
Estimated Cooking Time and Serving:
– The estimated cooking time for split peas soup is approximately 1.5 hours.
– This recipe yields about 4-6 servings, depending on the portion size.
Split peas soup is a comforting and nutritious dish that is perfect for colder days. It is packed with protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. With its rich and creamy texture, this soup is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Enjoy this delicious and hearty split peas soup as a main course or as a side dish.