Description
Classic French pea soup showcases garden-fresh ingredients with elegance. Creamy comfort awaits with crisp garnishes and delicate herb notes that invite you to savor each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) dried split peas, rinsed
- 3 cups (450 g) fresh or frozen green peas
- 1 cup diced ham (optional)
- 6 cups (1.5 L / 50 fl oz) vegetable or chicken broth
- 4 cups (1 L / 33.8 fl oz) vegetable broth
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- ½ tsp dried mint or basil (optional)
- ½ cup heavy cream or coconut milk (optional, for creaminess)
Instructions
- Flavor Foundation: Gently sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium heat until softened and translucent, developing a rich aromatic base.
- Herb Infusion: Add minced garlic, thyme, and bay leaf to the vegetable mixture, allowing their fragrant essences to bloom and intensify the soup’s flavor profile.
- Liquid Integration: Incorporate split peas and broth into the pot, creating a robust liquid foundation that will transform into a hearty soup.
- Cooking Transformation: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing peas to gradually soften and break down while occasional stirring prevents scorching.
- Textural Decision: After 45-60 minutes, choose between a silky smooth consistency by removing bay leaf and using an immersion blender, or maintain a rustic, chunky texture.
- Protein Enhancement: Optionally fold in diced ham, warming it through to add depth and additional protein to the soup.
- Final Flourish: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and brighten the flavor with a splash of lemon juice, then serve piping hot in warmed bowls for a comforting, nourishing meal.
Notes
- Optimize Vegetable Sautéing: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor release during initial preparation stage.
- Control Liquid Consistency: Monitor broth levels throughout simmering, adding extra liquid if soup becomes too thick to prevent burning and maintain desired texture.
- Enhance Protein Flexibility: Substitute ham with smoked tofu, diced chicken, or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary preferences without compromising soup’s rich profile.
- Elevate Flavor Complexity: Toast spices like cumin or add smoked paprika before introducing liquid to deepen soup’s aromatic dimension and create more sophisticated taste layers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 min (split peas) or 15 min (fresh peas)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg