Lunch

Split Pea Soup

Name: Split Pea Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 170 min
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 1kg gammon; 200g split peas, soaked overnight; 2 onions, chopped; 2 carrots, chopped; 2 bay leaves; 1 celery, chopped; 300g frozen peas; crusty bread, to serve; 2 litres water; 2 litres cold water, cold; butter, to serve

A warming Canadian-style split pea soup with tender shredded gammon, vegetables, and sweet frozen peas, served with crusty bread and butter.

2 hr 50 min
320 kcal
Canadian
Soup

Mellowpan tip: Makes 6 servings. Plan the extras as tomorrow’s lunch.

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Ingredients

For 6 servings

Steps

Step 1:
Put the gammon in a very large pan with 2 litres water and bring to the boil.
Step 2:
Remove the pan from the heat and drain off the water to reduce some of the saltiness.
Step 3:
Cover the gammon with 2 litres cold water and bring to the boil again.
Step 4:
Add everything except the frozen peas to the pan and bring to the boil.
Step 5:
Reduce to a simmer and cook for 1½–2½ hours, topping up the water as needed to keep it at about its original level.
Step 6:
As the ham cooks and softens, halve it if desired so that it stays fully submerged in the liquid.
Step 7:
Cook until the ham is tender enough to pull into shreds.
Step 8:
Lift out the ham, peel off and discard the skin.
Step 9:
While the ham is still hot, wear clean rubber gloves and shred the meat.
Step 10:
Remove the bay leaves from the soup and stir in the frozen peas.
Step 11:
Simmer for 1 minute, then blend until smooth. Add a splash of water if the soup is too thick, and return it to the pan to heat through if it has cooled or if making ahead.
1 min
Step 12:
When ready to serve, mix the hot soup with most of the ham, gently reheating if it was made ahead.
Step 13:
Serve in bowls with the remaining ham scattered over the top, with crusty bread and butter.