Monday, November 14, 2016

The Most Amazing Split Pea Soup...and Conquering My Fear

Growing up, we never ate split pea soup. I'm not sure why, but I never so much as sampled it until I was an adult, working in restaurants.
 
The first time I tried it, the soup was served with sliced hotdogs and greasy croutons floating on top.
 
At the young age of 20, that was ok with me.
 
Now? Not so much.
 
So, I set about to create my own version, a much healthier version.
 
 
At the dinner table that night, it was unanimously agreed that this was the best split pea soup we had ever tasted!
 
Naturally, I had to share it with you, my wonderful readers.

The problem is, I didn't take a bunch of photos....because I simply threw it in the crockpot and went about my day.
 
I guess you will need to use your imagination and pretend that this post is full of lovely images to accompany the recipe!
 
Here we go: The Most Amazing Split Pea Soup
 
First, I threw a pound of yellow split peas, rinsed, into the bottom of the crockpot.
 
Then I chopped a couple of celery stalks, a couple of onions, and a couple of carrots and threw them in on top of the peas.
 
And 5 cloves of minced garlic. Because....yummmmm, garlic!
 
Next, I grabbed a ham bone out of the freezer. I saved it the last time I made a spiral ham, knowing it would make a big pot of soup some day.
 
I sat the ham bone on top of the split peas and chopped veggies.
 
In went 4 cups of home made chicken broth. And 2 cups of water. And two bay leaves along with a healthy sprinkle of dried parsley.
 
 
Next came some freshly ground pepper. Then on went the lid, the crockpot was set on high....and I went out to tackle some tough projects around the house.
 
Which is why I wanted an easy-peasy dinner that would cook itself. I knew I was going to be good for nothing after I did all the things I needed to do.
 
Because of this.
 
 
Yup - I had to tackle my fear once again and get up on the giant ladder.
 
Which I hate.

With a passion.
 
Remember I told you about my complete fear of ladders way back when in this post?
 
Yup, well, it hasn't improved any since, believe me.
 
However, someone had to get up there and clean out the gutters.
 
And since it's my house....well, guess who gets to tackle her fears?
 
You got it!  Me!! 

Since I was going to be up there anyway, I borrowed sweetie's staple gun to finally finish putting up the extra string of lights I bought for the roofline.
 
My legs shook the whole time I was up there, but I got the job done - and earned a well deserved soak in my Jacuzzi tub, complete with candles, music, and a cocktail!
 
And the whole time I was outside working on outdoor chores, the soup was simmering away in the crockpot.
 
After my bath, and a little relaxing time by the fire, it was time to pull out the ham bone, cut off all the meat, trim the fat and throw it back into the soup.
 
Of course, I saved a couple of scraps for the pups!
 
I also chopped up a large container of baby spinach and threw it in, along with a cup of leftover peas that were in the fridge.
 
And about a cup of Cabot's light cheddar, shredded.
 
Everything got a good stir, another sprinkle of freshly ground pepper, and that was it!
 
 
Just look at how gorgeous that is!  This soup was SO EASY and was honestly incredible.
 
 
No, really - just look at all that yumminess! This is such a veggie heavy soup, and super healthy. I served it with hot, crusty bread and it was a perfect autumn supper.
 
 
I hope you'll give this one a try!
 
Easy peasy, incredibly delicious, hearty and healthy - what more could you possibly want?

50 comments:

  1. Sounds delicious! Sure wish I had a hot tub!!!
    Lisa

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  2. Your recipe was the same as mine up until you threw in baby spinach and cheese! Those are an interesting twist. We love split pea soup here - one of our faves.

    You are so brave for getting up on a ladder and cleaning out your gutters and hanging Christmas lights. I would have to hire someone to clean out our gutters if hubby (God forbid) wasn't here.

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    1. I'm thinking of getting gutter guards installed before next fall, Melanie!

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  3. I have never eaten split pea soup and I love peas. That is a new one for me...never ever heard of yellow peas. Good for you being brave and doing those gutters. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. I think the yellow peas are a little milder in flavor than the green ones, Susie - although perhaps it's just my imagination!

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  4. That looks absolutely GREAT! My hubby always loved split pea soups but that is one thing he can't eat anymore so I don't know if I would make it for just me. But, oh!man! Does that sound delicious!!!!! xo Diana

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    1. That's too bad that he can't eat it any more, awww, sad!

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  5. What a great recipe! I will have to give this a try for the hubster...he will love it!! So glad you made it safely up and down that ladder. I'm right there with you...I hate getting on those things!! Love and hugs!!

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    1. Hate is such a mild word for what I feel for ladders, Benita!!

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  6. Looks delicious! Uh, would you believe I've never had split-pea soup?
    Brenda

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    1. It's amazing how many people have never tried it, Brenda - you're not alone!

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  7. I'm a newcomer to pea soup as well, but I find I like it a lot, and yours looks delicious!

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    1. We know it's always better when it's home made, Pattie!

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  8. I like that you added extra veggies to your split pea soup and made it easier by cooking it in your crock pot. Looks delish! I could eat soup every day!

    Kudos to you for getting up on that very tall ladder! I've got a fear of heights and power tools, so I avoid tall ladders at all costs. Good for you for tackling your fear and getting your Christmas lights up, too!

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    1. I'm afraid of saws, Vickie, but I did buy a small one this year. I have yet to use it, but I took the first step, right?

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  9. YUMMY! I love crockpot-easy meals like this! You reminded me that I have a ham bone I need to use up. This soup would be a perfect addition to my menu this week. I think yours looks amazing, love the addition of spinach and cheese too. Glad that you were able to get up on that ladder and clean out the gutters! Lights look great too. It always feels soo good to conquer our fears. I had to help my husband on a ladder earlier this fall, and it was not fun at all. Hugs to you today :)

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  10. Your soup sounds amazing! I love split pea soup but have never made it homemade. I confess to loving Campbell's. :) I'll have to try it homemade. There's nothing better than homemade soup of any kind. We have some Great Northern Beans in the pantry...I might do just what you did but use those since I don't have split peas right now.

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    1. Hmmmm....I wonder how that would be, Stacey? Sounds interesting!!

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  11. I love split pea soup...and your version sounds incredibly flavorful!
    Thanks for sharing! Pinning!

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  12. you are such a good cook! I love reading your food posts and seeing the pictures! That soup looks amazing!! I can almost smell it down here in Charleston!!

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    1. I actually really enjoy cooking, so I guess that makes a difference!

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  13. A few years ago I won a bone in ham lol and made a similar soup. Like you, I didn't have much experience making it but I winged it and it came out great.

    If you're up on a ladder and alone, make sure you have a way to reach someone if you get hurt!

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    1. I always have my cell phone in my pocket.....but I would NOT be up there when I'm alone, you can count on that!!

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  14. This soup looks good and sounds delicious!!!

    I do NOT like ladders either. I cry, like a big baby, especially if I had to get on the roof to help hubby with a project. I was petrified, especially taking that first step off the ladder onto the roof, and vice versa. He would gently talk to me, telling me I could do it, and I did. At my age now though and being alone, family and friends do not want me climbing ladders.

    Congrats to you on getting on that ladder and doing what you had to do. Bless your heart!

    Happy Fall ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I haven't made it up onto the roof yet, Lorraine.....although I will one of these days, to clean the skylights!

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  15. Oh I remember you on that ladder LAST year and very nervous about it. Well you've made it through another year and the soup looks wonderful :)

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    1. Nervous doesn't begin to describe my intense fear of ladders, Deb!

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  16. YUM! We make split pea soup but not like this...I think it's time to try a new recipe. Good for you Debbie, facing your fear and accomplishing a task at the same time :)

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    1. Owning a house by myself means sometimes I have to step outside my comfort zone to get things done, Karen!

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  17. I grew up on split pea soup and always loved it but never made it much as a Mom. (Don't know why.) Now that I'm back home in NL, it's a staple. My Mom sends me home every couple of weeks with the leftovers. But your addition of spinach and cheese on top sounds divine!

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    1. It's not something I think of very often, Sandy, but I saw a recipe in one of my cookbooks recently and started craving it. I did not follow her recipe, but rather went with my gut and the end result was fantastic!

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  18. This recipe looks so tasty, the photo makes me crave :)

    Conquering fear is not easy, i have fear of heights..hehe. Congrats for conquering your fear!

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  19. This recipe looks so tasty, the photo makes me crave :)

    Conquering fear is not easy, i have fear of heights..hehe. Congrats for conquering your fear!

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    1. As do I, which is most likely where the fear of ladders comes from! Honestly, I don't even like getting up on a stepstool - I'm a big baby for sure!

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  20. I love it when you talk "legumes"!

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  21. The soup looks yummy! You deserved a cocktail after you got off the roof. You won't have to go up there again until next fall! Hubs has a similar ladder to yours. He walks the roof with a leaf blower and blows the leaves out of the gutter. When he was a home inspector, he walked two story roofs and stood on the peak. Scared me!

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    1. Oh boy, I can't see myself up there blowing off leaves....but hey, maybe that's really the way to go!

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  22. Wow! Looks incredible! How long did it take in the slow cooker? Also, can it be frozen? I would like to make a batch of this for my sister-in-law who is having chemotherapy. Thanks.

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    1. Hi! I think I had it on high for about 5 - 6 hours. If I put it in on a work day I'd leave it on low for about 9 hours.

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    2. Thanks for your reply! I will be making this soon. Sounds perfect for a cold day.

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    3. I made this! Thank you, it was wonderful! I love the addition of cheese and spinach too!

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    4. I'm so glad you loved it!! I must make it again soon, Lord knows the weather is perfect for soup now!!

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  23. That sounds so good! Your recipe sounds very similar to mine. I am going to take your suggestion about the cheese and spinach add ins and try those too. I also add a bit of Cajun Seasoning to my split pea soup and a dash of Bragg's Liquid Aminos to give it a little kick. :)

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    1. I don't know about this liquid aminos.....now I'll be looking that up, thanks for the tip!

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  24. Sounds and looks delish! Rhonda

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