Healthy Pea Soup Recipe
Pea soup is a hearty and comforting dish made from dried peas, typically green or yellow. It's prepared by simmering dried peas with vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, along with herbs such as thyme and bay leaves.
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Calories: 300kcal
Servings: 5 people
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven
- Cutting Board and Knife
- Stirring Utensil
- Blender or immersion blender (optional)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Strainer (optional)
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or parsley
- 6 cups peas fresh or frozen
- ½ cup water
- 1/2 cup half-and-half optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the peas: Rinse dried peas under cold water and soak them in a bowl of water for a few hours or overnight to soften.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop onions, carrots, celery, and any other vegetables. If using meat, dice it into small pieces.
- Saute aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in oil or butter until softened.
- Add peas and liquid: Drain the soaked peas and add them to the pot. Pour in vegetable or chicken broth (or water), enough to cover the peas by about an inch.
- Season and simmer: Add herbs like thyme and bay leaves, along with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, add diced meat like ham or bacon for flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the peas are soft and the soup has thickened.
- Blend (optional): Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend the soup until smooth, if desired.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with toppings like croutons, chopped herbs, or a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
Soaking peas: Soaking the dried peas before cooking can help reduce cooking time and improve their texture. It's recommended to soak them for a few hours or overnight for best results.
Customization: Pea soup is versatile, so feel free to customize it according to your preferences. You can add different vegetables, herbs, or spices to enhance the flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 9g