When I went to bed last night it was a balmy 73 degrees. As I lay there watching the news I was astounded that the weatherman said today’s high would be 46 with wind and rain. Actually I didn’t believe him, but lo and behold I woke to thunder, rain, wind and 46 degrees.
That’s when I decided it was time to pull the Honey Baked Ham bone out of the freezer and make some split pea soup for dinner. We’ll probably split a grilled cheese sandwich to go with it.
I’ve been making this recipe exactly the same way for over 20 years. It’s that good – needs no updating. It’s smooth, creamy, chunky, slightly sweet and savory too! The beer gives it a pungent punch too.
SPLIT PEA SOUP
1 Honey Baked Ham Bone
2 cups ham pieces
3 quarts water
1 small bag baby carrots, chopped
5 large stalk celery, leaves included, chopped
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
2 cups split green peas
2 cups split yellow peas
1/4 cup barley
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper & white pepper mix
1 bottle beer – Mystery ingredient – choose your favorite flavor
crispy bacon pieces for garnish
- In a large stock pot, bring ham bone* & water to a boil. Boil until the meat is falling off the bone, about 1 – 1 1/2 hours)
- Remove the bone and let cool enough so you can cut the meat off the bone. You should have about 8 cups water left.
- In the mean time add the carrots, celery, onion (4 cups total) and seasonings to the water and return to a SLOW boil for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- While the vegetables are boiling, rinse the peas and pick out any bad ones.
- Cut the ham pieces off the bone. Refrigerate the ham pieces and discard the bone.
- After the vegetables have cooked 45 minutes or until tender, add the peas and barley, cooking for another 1-1 1/2 hours or until peas are tender.
- Add the beer and ham pieces back in and cook another 30-45 minutes.
NOTE*: I always save my honey baked ham bones after the meat is all cut off. I then freeze them and save them for future soups. I always get at least 2 cups of meat off when I boil the bone.
This makes a huge batch and I always freeze it in several batches (3-4) for future easy weeknight meals. We usually pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich.
TODAY’S TRIVIA as heard by hubby on an old game show – Campbell’s soup used to fill the bottom of the bowl with marbles so the vegetables would be at the top giving the appearance of more vegetables in each bowl of soup. That trick was not done here – what you see is what you get.
Linking to SOUPER SUNDAY at Kahakai Kitchen and FULL PLATE THURSDAY at Miz Helen’s Cottage.
