Hearty Quick Pea and Ham Soup
This recipe offers a wonderfully practical solution for a warm, nourishing soup, ready in under half an hour. It’s designed for those who crave a comforting meal without extensive waiting, utilising straightforward ingredients and an efficient cooking method. The secret lies in the rapid preparation and the use of quick-cooking hulled split peas, with the aid of an immersion blender to achieve a beautifully smooth consistency. Enjoy a wholesome dish that fits seamlessly into your busy schedule.
Quick Overview
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 5.3 oz (150g) cooked ham or smoked streaky bacon, diced
- 7 oz (200g) hulled split peas, rinsed well
- 35 fl oz (1 litre) hot vegetable stock
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over a medium flame. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, then cook for approximately 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have slightly softened.
- Stir in the diced ham or bacon and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, allowing it to release its flavour.
- Add the rinsed hulled split peas and the bay leaf. Pour in the hot vegetable stock, stir well, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the peas are tender. It’s important to stir occasionally to prevent the peas from sticking to the bottom.
- Remove the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, blitz the soup directly in the pot until you reach your desired consistency, leaving some pieces whole if preferred. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serving & Leftovers
Serve the soup hot, perhaps with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a grind of fresh pepper. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days and gently reheated on the hob or in the microwave, adding a little extra stock if needed to adjust the consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition (estimated, per serving)
| Energy | 383 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 19 g |
| of which saturates | 5.6 g |
| Carbohydrate | 36.8 g |
| of which sugars | 7.5 g |
| Fibre | 13.5 g |
| Protein | 17.3 g |
| Salt | 3.15 g |
Estimated from the ingredients above, for 1 of 4 servings. Values vary with brands and portion sizes.
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.
One Last Thing
Creating a comforting meal like this soup can become a cherished habit for evenings when time is tight but the desire for something wholesome is strong. It’s a reliable way to nourish yourself well without complications, integrating effortlessly into your weekly routine.
