Spiced Yellow Pea Soup

Spiced 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. I added some turmeric for extra color, too. 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 liquid in the soup- adding extra flavor. I also added some of the ham to the soup. I added a fair number of herbs and spices, to add more even more flavor. On a chilly day, a soup with a little extra spice suits my mood. Simple and satisfying this is a soup that is also a meal in itself.

 Spiced Yellow Split Pea Soup

1 lb. yellow split peas, rinsed

8 c. stock or water

2 c. chopped onion

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

3 potatoes, peeled and cubed

½ lb. sliced green beans

1 T. parsley

2-3 t. hot pepper sauce

1 t. chopped fresh sage- or ½ t. dried sage

1 t. dried thyme

1 t. ginger

1 t. cumin

1 t. turmeric

½ t. white pepper

2 cups diced ham

Salt to taste

Note: you can use 1 teaspoon liquid smoke if omitting meat.

Combine peas, water or stock and simmer, covered, about an hour, stirring occasionally.  Add remaining ingredients, except salt, and cook, covered, over low heat for about 60 minutes. Add salt to taste. Freezes well. Serves 6-8.