Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Semi- Homemade Split Pea and Ham Soup

All the ingredients.

We are really into the cold here- June 21st was the first day of winter for us. It sure is cold and having nice warm, comfort food is a must!

I have never really made soups before, but I have made split-pea twice since we have been here. I adapted our recipe from this web site, and I also used some of the tips in the comments section. I also have been inspired for a long time by Sandra Lee’s Semi-homemade recipes (this is the type of cook I am).



Ingredients (really, just add however much you want):
500 g Split peas
Knorr chicken bullion cube
Onion (I put in about half)
Ham (I put in two thick slabs)
Bay leaves (I put in 2.5)
Garlic (I put in 4 cloves)
Bag of vegetables (mostly root vegetables)
Salt and Pepper
Water (at least 1400ml, if not more).


I first sautéed some onion- as much as you want (really, I seared them black on accident, but you won’t see it with all the green!), and added cubes of ham (I can’t find a “ham bone” where I shop).

I cut off the fatty parts of the ham.
I added 400 ml hot water and a cube of Knorr chicken bullion.
Washed peas.




I washed the peas (which I did NOT do last time- hey, I’m still here!) and added them. The bag was 500g.




I added 2.5 bay leaves (2 big and one tiny) and 4 cloves of garlic.
Season with salt and crushed pepper to taste (you may add some later too).

Great beginnings.














I added 800 ml more of water.  It simmered for an hour and then I added a package of fresh “soup mix” made up of such good things as turnips, pumpkin, broccoli, potato, carrot, leek, cauliflower, and celery. I did this to add more vegetables and make it last.

Look at all those vegetables!

Cover and cook for about another hour. I added more water, but not enough because I burnt the bottom a tad. I wasn’t in the kitchen watching it like a hawk. I also did this last time, and I learned that as long as you don’t scrape up the bottom of the pot, you’re fine!
Final result.

 This recipe made at least eight bowls of soup.  It is very good as leftovers- you may want to add some water when re-heating to make it "soupier."

Enjoy!


Here are the hops and linkys that I will be participating in this week! Please check them out and explore some great blogs. Like this one.


P.S.- Here is my hubby's blog.



Song of the post: Glamorous by Fergie of the Black Eyed PEAS (yes, I went there!).

13 comments:

Shabby Chic Mom said...

what a great blog! looking forward to reading more!

following you from the i love blogging hop
would love a follow back and say hello!
http://www.bragallaboutit.com

Emily Thompson said...

HI! Just found your blog! I am also an american living overseas (hong kong) Come on over and link up to my food party! http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/make-your-own-pitas-and-tasty-tuesday.html

Unknown said...

This soup sounds really good! And that son takes me aback to the day I lived in SoCal

New blog follower! Come follow back and enter my great giveaways! http://www.peacelovepoop.com

Eliza said...

Looks amazing! Way to go!

Janelle said...

This soup looks really, really good on a cold rainy night here. thanks for visiting my blog too! New follower! :)

Peggy said...

Yummy! Your soup looks super. I'll have to try it sometime.
So strange that you're having cold weather. We have been in the high 90's for days. We also have a ban on fireworks because it's so dry here.
Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Hi, I just landed here from the Friend Finding Fridays blog hop. I'm a brand new follower.

It's interesting to read about South Africa especially when we are beginning summer in South Florida.

Bella Vida by Letty
Have a great weekend.

LaVonne said...

I like Semi-Homemade recipes. This is my "kind". :) Thanks for sharing.

I am visiting from the You Like Me Friday blog hop. It is nice to "meet" you.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Blessings,
LaVonne @ Long Wait For Isabella

Katherines Corner said...

the soup looks delish! Hugs

Anastacia Knits said...

Split pea soup was always my least favorite as a kid, & I have to say I still don't like split pea soup! peas - yuck! lol the photos do make it look great, though! I'm here from FO friday!

Sarah said...

Oh my goodness. It's one in the morning, and I should be going to bed, but instead I'm looking at your delicious food and my stomach is grumbling - because, well, there's NOTHING better than ham soup - it's totally one of my favorite, favorite foods! I (surprisingly!) have all the ingredients for this, and will totally be making it in the morning!

Marie@Procrastinating in Pink said...

Looks yummy! Thanks for playing along this week!

Erica @ Doodles and Doilies said...

Yummy! I will have to try this recipe when the weather cools down a bit. thank you for sharing at Delight Me (Doodles & Doilies). I hope to see you back next week!