When we were kids… though it was more like jr high and high school age that I remember this. We’d sometimes have split pea soup for lunch. Most of the time along with a sandwich of some kind. My preference was always tuna. The soup that we had was the condensed kind which you have to dig out of the can with a fork and then whisk like crazy to make “smooth” while you incorporate the water back in.
Still, I liked it. One day when we were first married, I thought I’d let my new hubby in on this great lunch tradition. He was very nice about it and slurped up his green soup without complaining. However, I have been unable, since that time, to ever get him near a bite of split-pea soup again. Ha ha ha! I guess it scarred him for life.
I wish he’d try this homemade version though because it’s a MILLION times better than any can of condensed stuff you could ever buy! I found this recipe off of thehillbillyhousewife website, and didn’t think that it would be all that at first. I’ve tried other of her recipes, and while the frugal concept behind a lot of them is good, there just isn’t much else to say of lentil and dumpling stew…. really.
But I’m glad I gave this one a try because it’s become one of my new staples. I make a big pot on a Monday and then I have split-pea soup to eat the rest of the week for lunch. And yes, it’ll fill you right up without a bunch of fat and calories that you don’t need. Plus, I don’t have to worry about anyone else eating it all up since me and Ella seem to be the only ones who like the soup. Though I have to admit I haven’t tried it on the boys recently. Perhaps I should give it another go. 😉
Simple Split-Pea Soup
2 T veg oil (I just eyeball it, but don’t usually use this much)
1 T minced garlic OR 1 t. dry
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 t salt (I find that this isn’t “enough” salt and I add a dash of salt and pepper to each bowl I eat, but I’d rather put it in later than over salt it to begin with)
2 c. dry split peas
6 c. water
I also add chopped celery and carrots. I like the flavor and the color!
In a large pot heat veg oil. Sauté onion and garlic (and celery and carrots). Add water, salt and split peas. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med-low, cover and simmer for about 2 hours.
It ends up being thick and hearty. The peas fall apart in a great way, and it’s almost like a stew rather than soup. If you like peas at all, you’ll like this soup. It’s extremely frugal, and it’s simple and yummy, though I know not everyone will be wild about split-peas. Ha ha!