Recipe: Pea and Ham Soup

Pea and Ham Soup is one of my parent’s favourite meals. I’m sure they look forward to Winter so that they can cook up a big batch! Serves 6 (or 4 with leftovers!).

Ingredients:

• 2 Ham Hocks
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 brown onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 500g green split peas
• 2 cups frozen peas

Method:

• Heat oil in a very large pot and saute onion and garlic for a couple of minutes.
• Add the hocks and cover with 2 litres water. Add the split peas to the pot.
• Lower heat and simmer gently for around 2.5 hours. (Make sure the hocks stay covered with water, but avoid adding too much water.)
• At the end of 2.5 hours the split peas should be completely soft.
• Remove the ham hocks and set aside to cool.
• Add 2 cups of frozen peas to the pot and after 1 minute, turn the heat off.
• Use a hand-held stick mixer to blend the soup until all the ingredients are completely pureed and smooth.
• After removing the skin, bone and fatty bits from the hocks, shred or slice the meat.
• Return the ham to the soup and serve

TIP: For a thicker soup, simmer for a bit longer or until it reduces.