Recipe Wednesday --- Split Pea Soup, the long way!

When I mentioned making split pea soup on a social site someone asked how I do it since the process takes me two days. I admit to being a little compulsive about fat removal which may explain that. Anyway, thought I’d share the nuts and bolts here for Recipe Wednesday. This is not an exact formula, but I think it is a healthier option over using ham hocks and Toddler kept talking about the ham we put in, even though it’s not.

First day:
1 smoked turkey leg
1 onion cut in half (I wash, but don’t peel)
1 green pepper (washed & cut in half)
1-2 stalks of celery (washed & broken in half)
Several cloves of whole garlic
Bunch of parsley
1 bay leaf
Couple of carrots (unpeeled)

All the above items are placed into a soup pot and water added to cover most of the turkey leg. This will make a large pot of broth. The veggies give flavor and nutrients. Simmer for 2-3 hours. After it cools down, remove the turkey leg and strain broth. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on top of broth and set in refrigerator overnight. Remove plastic wrap when ready to finish soup and most of the fat comes off, then divide into 2 containers. Meat from the turkey leg can be removed the first day or 2nd. Chop into bite size pieces. Should be enough turkey & broth for 2 batches of soup.

Second Day:

1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 stalk celery, diced
1 bag split peas
Turkey broth
Chopped smoked turkey
Salt if needed

Sauté onion, carrots, parsley & celery in olive oil until soft. Add broth (amount is determined by directions on split pea bag) and if additional liquid is needed, use water or chicken stock. Add peas and turkey. Follow directions on bag for cooking time.

This makes for a low fat, healthy meal. Salt is added to taste. The turkey isn’t as salty as ham, but if when I have to stretch the broth with a can of chicken stock, it adds enough salt for my family.

My family loves split pea soup and when Toddler’s mom arrived to take her home, the little minx climbed up to the table and demanded her bowl of soup. Had to send some home with her since mom was in a hurry.