Yellow Split Pea Soup

Yellow Split Pea Soup

While a lot of people think of green split peas when they think of pea soup, I enjoy making pea soup with yellow split peas, too. The color of the peas leaves you with a pretty golden yellow soup. For this batch I had a ham bone so I cooked the bone in water with aromatic veggies to make a soup stock. I then strained and used the stock for the water in the soup- adding extra flavor. I also added some of the ham, cubed to the soup. Simple and satisfying this is a soup that is also a meal in itself.

Swedish Yellow Split Pea Soup

1 lb. yellow split peas, rinsed
2 qts. Boiling water or stock
1 bay leaf
2. c. chopped onion                                                                                                                               2 c. sliced carrots
1 tsp. dried marjoram
1/4 t. ginger
dash nutmeg
1/2 t. pepper
1 T. salt, or to taste
2 cups diced ham
Note: you can use 1 teaspoon liquid smoke if omitting meat.

Combine peas, boiling water or stock and bay leaf and simmer, covered, about an hour, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf. Add remaining ingredients, except diced meat and salt, and cook, covered, over low heat for about 30 minutes. Add meat and cook 1 hour more, stirring occasionally. Season to taste. Serve with a pumpernickel bread. Freezes well. Serves 6-8.