Quebecois-style Pea Soup

[mary57]

This recipe calls for unsmoked ham hocks, you can use smoked if that is all you can find, just reduce the salt. Or you can do as I do and use a ham bone after we have finished with it. Keep a few good slices of the ham to add in when almost finished.

Serves 4-6

1 lb (450g) unsmoked ham hock
2 Tbsp. butter
2 carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 C. dried yellow split peas (I eyeball it and sometimes add another cup)
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried savory OR thyme
3/4 tsp salt (I omit this)
1/4 tsp pepper

Trim off and discard skin from ham hock; set hock aside.
If using ham bone, trim fat, and whatever skin may be left, leaving bits of meat where it's stuck.

In large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat; cook carrots, celery, onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden, about 15 min.s

Stir in split peas, bay leaves, savory, salt and pepper; cook, stirring for 2 or 3 min.s.

Stir in 8 C water, (or 4C water and I box chicken stock no salt added) add ham hock, (or ham bone) Bring to boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until peas are very soft and soup is thickened, 1 !/2 - 2 hours. If you want it to be creamier, you can use a hand blender or hand mixer to smash it up a bit. Take to bone out first though.

Discard bay leaves, Transfer ham hock ( or bone) to plate; let cool enouogh to handle, discarding bone and any fat, dice meat and return to soup; heat through.

Enjoy with crusty bread or rolls.

As printed in Canadian Living

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Now Mary..... gotta say..... I've been looking for a good pea soup recipe and one of my favorite canned type is French Canadian Pea soup. (no carrots though in it) And; I happen to have a ham bone in the freezer. Might just make this! TY!

[sandy07]

Thanks Mary. Will be trying this real soon. I suppose green peas would work just as well? That's what hubby brought home from the store.

[mary57]

Until I found this recipe I only used green peas, that's what I grew up with but mom had a pressure cooker and I never could duplicate her results. But her's only had peas, ham, and a potatoe in it, and if any herbs I don't know.
Jackie, the canned version that is almost like this is Habitant, that's the one I buy when I don't have a ham bone. Which is most of the time.