This split pea soup recipe is just what I need during cold winter days. It makes one of the most soothing and heartwarming soups that make me want to stay inside all day, watching my favorite TV show and sipping bowls of split pea soup.
There is another reason why I adore this soup so much: it holds precious memories of my grandma; back in the good old days, I lived with her in the countryside when I was a little kid. I can still vividly remember her dear face, her cheerful smile along with her wonderful pots of split pea soup she gave me whenever I felt cold or sick.
I swear, that was the sweetest smile I’ve ever been given and the warmest soup I’ve ever tasted in my life. So without further ado, I’m sharing with you my most beloved soup recipe and my love, also.
Is split pea soup healthy?
Sipping a bowl of hearty split pea soup will not only brings you instant warmth, no matter how cold or sad you may be, but will also offer a variety of benefits.
Helps in weight loss: According to scientists and my real experience, soups can be as filling as solid foods, so feel free to serve your favorite soup as a regular meal without worrying you’ll become hungry again soon. Consider including some meat into your split pea soup to add protein if needed. A side salad would also be a wonderful compliment to this soup.
Improves bone health and wound healing: Split peas are especially rich in vitamin K. This type of vitamin teams up with vitamin D to make sure that calcium gets delivered properly into the bones, thus helping them develop normally.
Moreover, vitamin K plays an important role in triggering blood clotting; hence, protecting you from blood loss. With a smaller chance of severe bleeding even from minor cuts, your wound may heal more quickly and effectively.
Has a positive effect on heart health: These wonderful peas also contain a significant amount of heart-healthy minerals like potassium and magnesium. The combination of such minerals helps relieve tension in your blood vessel walls, preventing high blood pressure and preventing the risk of heart disease.
Fuels gut bacteria: Pulses, like beans, peas, and lentils are some of the best sources of fiber to nourish your gut bacteria. Balanced and thriving gut bacteria is essential for good health. Pulses are also associated with improved heart health, digestive function, weight management and reduced cancer risk.
How do you thicken split pea soup?
If your soup is looking a bit too thin or doesn’t have the exact density that you desire, you may have unintentionally added a little too much water. Well, don’t panic, because I’m always here to help you!
There are several easy and simple methods to handle the situation, using something you may already have on hand:
Cornstarch: This one is an incredibly versatile ingredient that cannot only be used to make the coating mix for classic fried chicken or to form a sturdy pizza crust, but is also effectively used as a thickener. Plus, due to having no flavor at all, it will not spoil the taste of your soup.
Simply whisk a few tablespoons of cornstarch into a little bit of cold water in a separate bowl before adding it slowly into your soup. This prevents the cornstarch from congealing and helps it dissolve into the soup evenly.
Cream: Using cream to lend a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor to your soup is one of the easiest way to thicken your soup. Be sure to add the cream near the end of cooking the soup, because if the cream stays in boiling soup liquid for too long, it will curdle into floating chunks, which is not nice at all.
Hearty Split Pea Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh ginger 1-inch piece, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic 1 clove, minced
- 2 oz celery 1 stalk, diced
- 5.3 oz onion 1 medium, finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste
- 1/2 oz jalapeño 1/2 medium, or hot pepper; cored, seeded and diced
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 2 cups yellow split peas
- 5 cups water
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup sour cream for garnish (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
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Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, celery, onion, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir often, for 8 minutes or until vegetables are softened.
- Add in jalapeño or hot pepper, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Cooking and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Add split peas and continue stirring until combined.
- Stir in water and bring to a boil, then add lemon juice and bay leaf.
- Cover the pot, reduce heat and simmer for 1 ½ hours, until split peas are very soft and falling apart and soup is thickened to desired consistency. You may simmer without the lid for the last 10-15 minutes if you would prefer some liquid to evaporate and the soup to further thicken. Remember to stir occasionally and more frequently when the soup starts to thicken.
- When ready to serve, discard bay leaf and ladle into bowls. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.
Nutrition Info
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