In case you are on the lookout for a scrumptious recipe to make use of leftover ham out of your vacation celebration, do your self a favor and make this wholesome Cut up Pea and Ham Soup recipe. Even for individuals who don’t like conventional cooked peas, you’ll love this creamy soup that is filled with superb taste.

I’ve to confess, I’m not a lover of plain, cooked peas. In truth, I haven’t had a aspect dish of peas in almost 10 years.

So after I was trying to find methods to make use of an abundance of leftover ham after I hosted a big Easter celebration I used to be a bit skeptical about making this soup.

Nonetheless, after my first chew, I used to be actually shocked. It was a scrumptious, creamy soup that had glorious taste and chunks of ham scattered all through. Better of all, it didn’t style like peas in any respect!

Ever since then, I’ve used my leftover ham and ham bone from Easter and Christmas to make this soup. And it freezes properly so you may take pleasure in it now and at a later time!

What Are Cut up Peas?

Cut up peas are area peas which can be dried after harvesting. As soon as dried, the outer pores and skin of the pea is eliminated and the pea is cut up in half alongside the pure seam, creating two symmetrical halves.

The peas are often inexperienced or yellow, with inexperienced cut up peas being extra generally out there in america. Inexperienced cut up peas are inclined to have a barely sweeter taste, whereas yellow cut up peas (generally present in Canada) have a milder style.

They don’t require presoaking so they’re generally utilized in soups and stews that don’t require a low and sluggish cooking course of. Nonetheless, if cooked for a protracted time period the peas will turn out to be creamy which is why they’re ideally suited when making soup.

Leftover Ham Choices When Making Cut up Pea Soup

Though you may buy a ham hock and/or precooked ham to make this cut up pea soup, most frequently it’s made with leftover ham from a vacation dinner. In truth, I most frequently make this scrumptious soup recipe utilizing the leftover ham proper after Christmas and Easter.

As soon as I end carving our Honey Baked Ham I’ll save each the bone and leftover meat. If I’m going to make the soup immediately I’ll retailer them within the fridge.

Though if I don’t have time to make the soup throughout the subsequent few days, I’ll cube the meat after which freeze it for later use. I additionally put the ham bone in an air-tight container and place it within the freezer.

Then when it comes time to make the soup I’ll add each the frozen ham bone and meat proper into the pot. That’s proper, there isn’t any have to thaw the meat.

Nonetheless when you made a boneless ham and end up with leftover meat however no bone, you may nonetheless make cut up pea and ham soup. Merely add a bit further diced ham to the soup to make up for the bits of ham that may fall off the bone because it simmers.

You possibly can even make this soup with none meat in any respect! For my vegetarian and vegan mates omit the ham altogether and change the hen inventory with vegetable inventory.

Cut up Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

*Full recipe directions together with particular measurements, prepare dinner temperatures and occasions are situated in a printable recipe card on the backside of this text. Nonetheless, be sure you maintain studying for useful suggestions and methods when making this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 massive carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 stalks of celery, diced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt, extra to style
• 1⁄2 teaspoon recent floor black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups hen inventory
• 1 pound dried cut up peas, rinsed and sorted
• 1 leftover ham bone
• 1 bay leaf
• 3⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cups water
• 1 1⁄2 cups diced cooked ham

INSTRUCTIONS

Earlier than getting began making your Cut up Pea and Ham soup, you will need to first rinse, type, and drain the bag of cut up peas. Do that by opening the bag and putting the peas in a colander.

Then run chilly water over the peas whilst you combine them along with your hand. You should definitely pick any peas that look dangerous and any dust or small stones that will have been harvested together with the peas.

Let the peas drain whilst you cube the onion, carrots and celery. Now that every one the substances are ready, it’s time to get the soup cooking!

In a big pot over medium warmth, add the unsalted butter. As soon as the butter melts add diced onions, carrot and celery to the pot.

Then season the combination with salt and pepper to style. You will need to do not forget that each the ham bone and the diced ham are naturally salty.

Subsequently, be cautious on how a lot salt you add firstly of the cooking course of. Bear in mind, you may all the time add extra salt as soon as the cut up pea and ham soup is served, you simply can’t take it out when you add an excessive amount of.

Proceed to saute the greens till tender, which can take roughly 6-7 minutes.

As soon as the veggies are barely softened, add the minced garlic and prepare dinner for an extra minute, or simply till the garlic turns into aromatic.

Deglaze the Backside of the Pot

Subsequent, add the hen inventory and utilizing a picket spatula deglaze the underside of the pan to take away any browned bits.

Then stir within the rinsed and drained cut up peas, ham bone, bay leaf, and the dried thyme. Stir the combination after which add water and stir once more.

Improve the warmth to medium-high to deliver the soup to a boil. As soon as the liquid is boiling, scale back warmth, and simmer, uncovered for 60-90 minutes, stirring often.

When the peas start to interrupt down the soup will thicken and would require extra stirring.

Proceed to simmer till desired consistency is reached, including extra water as wanted. Add the diced ham to the cut up pea soup over the last 10 minutes of cooking to warmth by.

*In case you are utilizing frozen ham add it after the soup has been simmering for half-hour.

When you’re able to serve, take away the ham bone and bay leaf and season with further salt and pepper to style. I additionally add a bit crushed pink pepper flakes and some dashes of sizzling sauce to make the soup barely spicy.

Take pleasure in!

Mary and Jim

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The 2 are frequent audio system on all issues gardening and like to journey of their spare time.

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