Saturday, February 14, 2009

Saturday Soups-- # 12 Winter 2008/2009

Last week, I indicated I am winding down the season of Saturday soups, but that I would take a request or two, should there be any.

Well, this one is for Laurie. She requested a split pea soup recipe--I confess that split pea is one of my favorite soups.

Today is also Valentine's Day--I suppose based on that fact, I should have posted a RED soup--I will do that next week, unless someone has a very special request.

Of special note this week are the anniversaries of two important births: by coincidence Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin share a birthday--February 12, 1809. Much has already been written about this convergence in history, so I won't try to add to it.

Then, yesterday I celebrated my birthday.

Now today--Valentine's Day. . .and my aunt's birthday. When I was growing up, I thought having your birthday on Valentine's Day would be great. She has told me that she hoped I would be born on her birthday--but I rushed things a bit.


Split Pea with Rosemary
Makes 12


Ingredients


3 cups green split peas
4 tsp. olive oil, divided
4 cups chopped onion
2 cups diced carrot
2 bay leaves
2 T. (about 6 cloves) garlic, divided
2 T. minced fresh rosemary, divided
2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 T. tomato paste
2 T. soy sauce
8 cups water
4 cups chicken broth (low-salt if using canned)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley


1) Sort and wash peas; cover with water to 2 inches above peas, and set aside.

2) Heat 2 tsp. of oil in a heavy soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and bay leaves; sauté 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

3) Add 1-1/2 T. of garlic, 1 T. of chopped rosemary, paprika, and pepper, cook 3 minutes.

4) Add tomato paste and soy sauce; cook until liquid evaporates, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.

5) Drain peas. Add peas, 8 cups water, and chicken stock to onion mixture; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour, stirring often. Discard bay leaves.

6) Place soup in blender or food processor (in batches); process until smooth. Pour puréed soup into a bowl. Repeat with remaining soup.

7) Combine 2 teaspoons oil, 1/2 T. garlic, 1 T. rosemary, and parsley. Stir parsley mixture into soup.

8) Options--you can use vegetable broth, if you want a completely vegetarian soup. Or, if you want a meatier soup, you can add chopped ham.

7 comments:

NCmountainwoman said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And on Friday the 13th.

I'm not fond of split-pea soup either. A small cup every couple of years is plenty for me.

BTW, I picked up "This Republic of Suffering" at our book store yesterday. I'm always interested in your book pile list.

Ginnie said...

Guess what we have in common? We are both displaced Valentines. My birthday is tomorrow!
It's 76 for me and I can hardly believe it...I sure don't feel wise enough to be that old !!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday again and looks like a great Soup! Also, Happy V-day!

Denise said...

Sounds great.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

A Belated Happy Birthday! It would be nice to be born on a day that the world deemed important, except Christmas because you lose out on presents and attention! Our former Prime Minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, had two of his three sons born on Christmas Day. For a man who may have suffered from hubris and even a messianic view of himself this was a bit much. Could it have been a sign?

KGMom said...

NC MntWn--actually, I said I do like split pea soup. I like any legume based soup.
On my book choices--I am not one to read best sellers, just because they are best sellers. I read a mix of serious & mystery books. I will have to write a blog on This Republic of Suffering.

Ginnie--I will stop by your place to wish you the best!

Mon@rch--thanks.

Denise--is the soup one you would like?

Philip--I agree about not wanting to share a birthday with a really important holiday. I do remember glamorous Pierre Trudeau, and then wife Margaret (?). I did not know two of his sons were born on Christmas. A sign? Only of activity the prior March.

Anonymous said...

Yum! I'd never have thought to combine split peas with rosemary...sounds good, though. When we buy our house in Washington (soon, please!) and I'm cooking again, I will have to try it.

Happy belated birthday!