Split Pea Soup
Sign Up for the Recipe Publishing Newsletter
Elegance of Pureed Split Green Pea Soup
There are some interesting ways to liven up split pea soup and one of them is making a puree out of the mixture. You will find that some people remove the meat first and stir it back in after the soup is pureed. One of the most important things is following the directions for cooking time and temperature and having all ingredients and utensils ready before starting the process. Add the seasoning a little at a time and give the flavor time to combine with the other ingredients to make the taste perfect.
Sometimes a recipe calls for green onions because of their tenderness and the stems, as well as the small bulb, are useful in the recipe. Many cooks like green onions because they slice so nicely and the deep green of the stem intensifies in color when cooked. Sometimes a recipe will call for chives as a garnish or for flavor. In a pinch for flavor, green onions are an adequate substitute. Chives give a subtle onion taste, as do green onions.
Chives, referred to in the plural form because they grow in clusters, are much smaller than green onions and in fact are the smallest plants in the onion family. If you want to use chives as a garnish, the flavor is slightly different. The stems take up less width than those of green onions. If the garnish is chopped chives, thinly sliced green onion stems give the same color and effect but when using long stems for the display, use chives whenever possible.
Heartwarming Split Green Pea Soup
Imagine the delicious appeal of a fragrant bowl of pureed split green pea soup on a cold winter evening. This recipe uses a shortcut for soaking the peas by putting the washed peas in the water, bringing them to a boil, and setting them aside for a short time.
Ingredients -
2 quarts water
1 pound of dry green split peas
2 carrots
3 stalks celery
¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
3 green onions
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon salt
1 bunch of chives
Sour cream for garnish
Preparation:
Rinse the peas and remove any small stones or debris. Place them in a large saucepan and cover them with the two quarts of water.
Turn the burner to high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium high and let the peas boil softly for 3 minutes. Turn the burner off and remove the pan from the heat. Let the peas soak for an hour.
Peel the carrots and shred them into a large bowl. Chop the celery and the onions, along with the stems, into small pieces. When the peas have finished soaking, add the onion, carrots, and celery.
Crush the thyme and marjoram between your thumb and finger and add them to the water. Then put in the garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Put the pan back on the burner, turn it to high, and bring it back to a boil.
Turn the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer the soup for two hours. Stir every 15 minutes or so to lift the peas from the bottom of the pan and avoid scorching.
If the split green pea soup needs extra salt, add a dash and stir it in. Let the soup simmer for another 20 minute and remove from the heat. Allow to cool for an hour.
When the soup has cooled somewhat, pour the soup into a large bowl. Place two cups of soup into the blender and puree for one to two minutes. Put the pureed soup back into the pan and repeat until all the soup is mixed. Stir together and reheat if needed. Dish into bowls and garnish with the chives and sour cream, using the picture for an example.
(Serves 8)
Green Split Pea Soup
Photo Description:
Delicately rimmed with gold, a lovely white china plate rests on a lime-green mat. A white china bowl holds freshly cooked pureed green split pea soup enhanced with seasonings, shredded carrots and minced green onions. A small scoop of sour cream rests in the center of the soup and is decorated on either side with an X made with lengths of chives. Whether the soup is for lunch or the beginning to a great dinner, the presentation is spectacular and sure to bring many compliments from those arriving for the meal. Use a silver soupspoon to complete the theme.
