Split Pea And Ham Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup carrot, sliced
• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup split peas, rinsed
• 2 slices bacon, sliced thick
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups frozen green peas
• 2 cups ham, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint (garnish)

Recipe

• 1 sauté onion, celery, and carrot in butter for the soup in a large pot, covered, over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.
• 2 deglaze with sherry; reduce until nearly evaporated. add broth, water, split peas, bacon and seasonings.
• 3 bring to a boil, and simmer partially covered, 50-60 minutes or until pear are tender.
• 4 remove bacon and bay leaf.
• 5 puree 2 cups of soup in a blender; return the pureed mixture to the pot.
• 6 stir in frozen peas, ham, parsley, butter (if using), salt and pepper.
• 7 combine sour cream, zest, and mint for the cream in a bow. garnish soup with a dollop of the cream and sprig of mint if desired.