{"id":9653,"date":"2014-03-31T20:14:43","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T04:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/?p=9653"},"modified":"2014-03-31T20:14:43","modified_gmt":"2014-04-01T04:14:43","slug":"ham-and-split-pea-soup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/?p=9653","title":{"rendered":"Ham and Split Pea Soup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>My Mom had cooked a smoked ham and decided that it was just too salty for her liking &#8211; so I ended up with 3\/4 of a smoked ham as leftovers. The first thing I thought of making was split pea soup. I&#8217;ve never made it before, but have enjoyed the road signs and ordering it at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.peasoupandersens.net\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pea Soup Andersen&#8217;s<\/a> &#8211; which until now &#8211;&nbsp; I always thought was Andersen&#8217;s Split Pea Soup&#8230; learn something new with each blog post I research. Trips down to Southern California to see Ace&#8217;s family began or ended with a side trip to Santa Nella off Interstate 5 for a bowl of Andersen&#8217;s soup. Good memories indeed.<\/p>\n<p>I asked a friend if she had any good recipes and she didn&#8217;t, so she did a search and found <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foodnetwork.com\/recipes\/emeril-lagasse\/ham-and-split-pea-soup-recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">Emeril Lagasse&#8217;s recipe<\/a> on The Food Network website.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6321.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9664\" alt=\"IMG_6321\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6321.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6321.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6321-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While I didn&#8217;t have a ham hock and Parmesan truffled potato chips were just a little too fancy for everyday lunches, I managed to adjust the recipe a bit to accommodate the ingredients I did have on hand. I added more carrots, pepper, red pepper flakes, fresh thyme and water &#8211; adjustments are reflected below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6301.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9655\" alt=\"IMG_6301\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6301.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6301.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6301-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1 Pound Dried Split Peas<\/li>\n<li>3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter<\/li>\n<li>1 Cup Finely Chopped Yellow Onions<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 Cup Finely Chopped Celery<\/li>\n<li>1 Cup Finely Chopped Carrots<\/li>\n<li>2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic<\/li>\n<li>1 Pound Chopped Smoked Ham<\/li>\n<li>1 Teaspoon Salt<\/li>\n<li>1-2 Teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper<\/li>\n<li>1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes<\/li>\n<li>8-10 Cups Water<\/li>\n<li>1 Bay Leaf<\/li>\n<li>2 Tablespoons Fresh Thyme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6303.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9656\" alt=\"IMG_6303\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6303.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6303.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6303-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Directions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Place the peas in a large pot or bowl, cover with water by 2 inches and soak 8 hours or overnight. Drain the peas and set aside.<\/li>\n<li>In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the celery and carrots and cook, stirring, until just soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.<\/li>\n<li>Add the smoked ham and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown. Add the drained peas, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes, and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add 8 cups of water, the bay leaf and thyme, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender, about 1 hour. (Add more water as needed, if the soup becomes too thick or dry.)<\/li>\n<li>Remove the bay leaf and discard. Adjust the seasoning, to taste, and serve immediately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I ended up soaking the peas overnight. The liquid absorbed and I was left with a giant bowl of green peas that fascinated my little helper.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6310.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9657\" alt=\"IMG_6310\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6310.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6310.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6310-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Seriously the cutest sous chef on the planet&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6311.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9658\" alt=\"IMG_6311\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6311.jpg\" width=\"475\" height=\"356\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6311.jpg 475w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6311-300x224.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I used the strainer to drain the peas &#8211; there was a little water left in the bowl.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6312.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9659\" alt=\"IMG_6312\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6312.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6312.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6312-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In a large pot, I melted the butter over medium-high heat. I then added the onions and cooked, stirring, for 2 minutes. The celery and carrots went in next and I cooked\/stirred for about 3 minutes until soft. I added the garlic and cooked, stirring for a minute or so.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6314.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9660\" alt=\"IMG_6314\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6314.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6314.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6314-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I diced up the smoked ham and added that next.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6316.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9661\" alt=\"IMG_6316\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6316.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6316.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6316-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>My spices went in next &#8211; ground pepper, salt and red pepper flakes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6317.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9662\" alt=\"IMG_6317\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6317.jpg\" width=\"413\" height=\"550\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6317.jpg 413w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6317-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Water, a bay leaf and fresh thyme were next into the pot.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6320.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9663\" alt=\"IMG_6320\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6320.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6320.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6320-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s face it, split pea soup is just not pretty&#8230; it doesn&#8217;t photograph well, but man does it taste good.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6330.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9667\" alt=\"IMG_6330\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6330.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6330.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6330-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I ended up adding 8-10 cups of water to the recipe ingredients &#8211; I used 8 cups and could probably have used 9 if not 10. I thickened very fast. Other than being on the thicker side, the flavor was spot on. Several people mentioned using a combination of chicken stock\/broth and water in their recipe reviews, but I felt that the smoked ham was salty as is, and I didn&#8217;t have any low sodium broth. I just went with water and wasn&#8217;t disappointed in the results. I ended up finishing off my bowls with fresh thyme and some garlic croutons for my lunches during the week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6322.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9665\" alt=\"IMG_6322\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6322.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6322.jpg 490w, http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_6322-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 490px) 100vw, 490px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A huge thanks to my Mom for giving me the ham and to my friend Kristen for helping me find Emeril&#8217;s recipe. Not sure why I waited so long to give split pea soup a try, it was pretty easy. I&#8217;m also over my &#8220;soak overnight&#8221; fear, so lots of other dried legumes await.<\/p>\n<p>Got any good soup recipes for me to try? It&#8217;s currently raining and there is nothing better than a big mug or bowl of soup and fresh baked bread on a day like today.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/foo1121.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1460\" alt=\"foo\" src=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/foo1121.jpg\" width=\"74\" height=\"41\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My Mom had cooked a smoked ham and decided that it was just too salty for her liking &#8211; so I ended up with 3\/4 of a smoked ham as leftovers. The first thing I thought of making was split pea soup. I&#8217;ve never made it before, but have enjoyed the road signs and ordering &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/?p=9653\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13,19],"tags":[543,649],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9653"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9653"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9669,"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9653\/revisions\/9669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/foodiddy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}