Creamy Ham and Split Pea Soup: A Comfort Food Classic
This recipe for creamy ham and split pea soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening or a cozy weekend lunch. It's surprisingly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, yet delivers a rich and satisfying flavor that will leave you wanting more. This recipe focuses on SEO best practices, incorporating relevant keywords naturally throughout the text.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 6-8 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.
- 1 pound split peas: Choose green split peas for the best color and texture. Rinse them well before using.
- 1 pound ham bone (or 1 cup diced ham): A ham bone adds incredible depth of flavor, but diced ham works well too!
- 8 cups ham broth (or chicken broth): Using ham broth intensifies the hammy flavor; chicken broth provides a lighter alternative.
- 1 large onion, chopped: Provides a savory base to the soup.
- 2 carrots, chopped: Adds sweetness and vibrant color.
- 2 celery stalks, chopped: A classic mirepoix component that enhances the flavor profile.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Adds a pungent aroma and taste.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Aromatic herb that complements the ham and peas.
- 1 bay leaf: Adds subtle complexity and depth.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Seasoning is key to a delicious soup!
- Optional: 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk: For an extra creamy texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in a little olive oil until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and thyme and cook for another minute until fragrant.
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Add the peas and broth: Add the rinsed split peas, ham bone (or diced ham), ham broth (or chicken broth), and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the peas are very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Blend (optional): For a smoother, creamier soup, use an immersion blender to partially or fully blend the soup. If you prefer a chunkier texture, skip this step.
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Season and serve: Remove the ham bone (if using) and discard. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the heavy cream or milk (optional) before serving.
Tips for the Best Ham and Split Pea Soup:
- Soaking the peas (optional): Soaking the split peas for a few hours or overnight can reduce cooking time and improve their texture. However, it's not strictly necessary.
- Ham bone magic: A ham bone truly elevates the flavor of this soup. If you can't find one, using a good quality diced ham will still produce a delicious result.
- Adjust the consistency: Control the thickness of your soup by adding more or less broth.
- Garnish ideas: A dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche, fresh parsley, or a sprinkle of crispy bacon adds a nice finishing touch.
Serving Suggestions:
This hearty soup is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with crusty bread, a side salad, or grilled cheese sandwiches for a complete meal.
Keyword Optimization & SEO Strategy:
This recipe incorporates relevant keywords such as "split pea soup," "ham," "recipe," "creamy," "easy," "comfort food," and various related terms throughout the text. This natural keyword integration helps search engines understand the content and improve its ranking. Additionally, the use of headings (H2, H3) and bold text improves readability and search engine optimization. A strong title and meta description (not included here, but crucial for SEO) would further enhance its visibility in search results. The inclusion of "tips" and "serving suggestions" enhances user engagement and provides valuable information for readers, thus increasing dwell time – a significant ranking factor.
