Pea Soup Anyone?

I remember the VERY first time I ate Pea Soup -- I was a young adult and I was visiting Solvang with a friend. That first bowl of Pea Soup was at the Famous Pea Soup Andersen's and I was in love. I know, not a very glamorous love, but I knew I needed to learn to make Pea Soup. And I did. It always was met with mixed reviews at my house but I always loved it and so did my oldest 2 children.

All these years later, I get a call from my daughter on Saturday. She has been craving chili in her pregnancy and I helped her out with big pot a couple weeks ago. She now states she is craving Pea Soup -- Will I make a pot? WILL I!! Come on down! It was a perfect day for soup making -- cool and drizzly all day long. The soup simmered while I got the house into a Fallen state. The smells were intoxicating and when it was all done, daughter was in Pea Soup heaven! Sometimes the simpliest things ARE the best!


Split Pea Soup
(Printable Version)

2 quarts chicken stock
2 cups of Green Split Peas
2 stocks celery, coarsely chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1 pinch of cayenne
1 bay leaf
Salt & pepper to taste
If you desire a heartier soup, you can add a ham hock or some chopped ham steak.

Place all ingredients in soup kettle and boil hard for 20 minutes, then slowly until peas are tender, about 2-3 hours. Strain through fine sieve and reheat to boiling point. Serve. Makes 6 servings.