The Princess And The Split Pea Soup

I think I probably could have done a decent job as a princess. After all, I am an excellent smiler and after all those years of watching the Rose Parade, I've perfected my princess wave. But I probably wouldn't have been able to resist the lure of what would undoubtably be an amazing galley. I'd have to sneak down into the kitchen and pull up a stool, chat with the chef and then as long as I was down there, and there were all those vegetables to chop, I'd probably just grab a knife and pitch in. 

Tip: I always keep two bowls in my work area*

My fantasies actually run more toward the farmer's wife side of life. There is something very satisfying about working and seeing the fruits of one's labor. Whether it is  picking the vegetables you've grown in your garden, building a piece of furniture, sewing, creating a piece of art or cooking a meal from scratch. I think this might be why we, as a society are less satisfied with our lives, always seeking fulfillment, never actually finding it, because we don't do enough with our hands. We've become too electronic, too automated. It's not difficult to see this connection when you think back to the time your young child first learned how to do something, "all by myself!" 

There is pride that comes with accomplishment and why a jar of home made preserves, with its hand scribbled label and square of gingham on top is so much more valuable than that slick jar of preserves from the local gourmet store. It's so much easier to run out for a quick fast food meal, but so much less rewarding and satisfying. During these difficult and tumultuous times, staying home, feathering a nest and cooking, rather than going out can be so much more pleasurable in addition to saving money.

The split pea is an amazing little legume. You don't really have to do much to it for it to taste really good. Every time I make Split Pea Soup, I feel as though I've "cheated". The reward is always double the effort and it's dirt cheap since a package of split peas is about $1 and can feed us for at least two meals! 

Split Pea Soup
1 package green split peas
water
1 large onion, diced
a couple of large carrots, peeled and diced
a stalk or two of celery
2 bay leaves
Ham hock (optional)
Big sprig of fresh thyme
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

1. Saute vegetables in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Throw peas in a pot.
3. Add water to cover them by about 2 or 3 inches.(I'm a visualizer, not a measurer...about 3 quarts.) 
4. Add vegetables, bay leaves and thyme sprig and ham hock, if desired.
5. Cover and simmer until peas are soft, about 2 hours or so.
6. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
7. Use an immersion blender or regular blender and puree soup. 
8. Season to taste with salt and pepper

Using an immersion blender is a lot easier than the blender

This is simple and completely vegetarian. When I feel like making it meatier, I add a ham hock for flavoring or dice up some leftover ham. How about serving it with a loaf of dark brown bread and butter?


* Tip: When I'm peeling vegetables I like to keep two bowls near me. I can put all my waste into one and my finished veg in the second. This eliminates going back and forth to trash can and makes clean up a lot easier.