Week #16 Split Pea Soup - Meal in a Jar

Split Pea Soup   
Meal in a Jar Recipe

Split Pea Soup Mix
1/2 bag dried split peas  (1 lb bag total for recipe)
1/2 C Instant potato flakes
1/4 C dried minced onion
1 tsp dried minced garlic
2 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 tsp celery flakes
1/2 C Instant potato flakes
1/2 bag dried split peas
In baggie - 1 tsp salt  and 2 chicken bouillon cubes
 Oxygen Absorber

Layer the ingredients in the order given into a wide mouth 1 qt canning jar.  Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient.  Finish with baggie and don't forget the Oxygen Absorber (otherwise your shelf life will only be about 6mo)  Attach label with cooking directions

Instructions for Recipe   
1 jar Split Pea Soup Mix
1 pkg ham hocks    or............2 (5oz) cans ham or  1/2 lb bacon, cut up and sauteed

Place the Split Pea Soup Mix in a large soup pot.  If you are using ham hocks add now.  If you are using canned ham or bacon wait until after your Puree the soup..  Add 10 cups of water.  Bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Remove ham hocks and  Puree soup in blender.   Remove the meat from the bones and add back into the pot.  If you are using the canned ham or bacon you will want to add it in now.  Taste for seasonings....add salt if necessary

In times of plenty.......add 1/2 C cream............yummo!
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 Shopping List for 5 meals in a Jar
Oxygen Absorbers (5)
Quart jars (5)
5 bags split peas
5 C instant potatoes
10 chicken bouillon cubes or 10 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 1/4 C dehy minced onion
5 tsp minced garlic
10 T dried parsley flakes 
10 tsp dried thyme leaves
5 tsp dried celery flakes
10 (5oz) cans ham or 5 pkg of ham hocks or 2 1/2 lbs bacon divided into 5 bags for freezer  
salt

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A bit about Split Peas................

Split peas are an excellent source of protein, folate and fiber.   Add some vegetables and a few thick slices of bread for dunking, and you've got a deeply satisfying meal that's low in fat and high in nutrition.

I found out just recently that adding salt at the beginning can cause the peas to cook much slower, so add at the end. Then there's the salt in the ham to contend with as well. I've found that freezing dried peas and beans, overnight or longer, seems to make them cook a little faster.

Oh...almost forgot...if you like smooth & creamy split pea soup, add a little milk or cream & emulsify the whole batch.

I like to add Old Bay seasoning to my pea soup. Gives it a little kick YUM YUM

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To Soak or Not to Soak

It's true, soaking peas overnight in water shortens their cooking time. But soaking isn't entirely necessary. Split peas cook relatively quickly. Unsoaked peas take from 1 to 2 hours of simmering; soaked peas take about 40 minutes. Also, the only difference between yellow and green split peas is color.

• Split peas absorb lots of water as they cook, so check the soup often and add liquid as needed.
• The peas only need to be cooked until they are tender. But if you like a smoother, creamier texture, cook them longer until they soften and fall apart.
• If you like really silky soup, take the extra step of pureeing the peas once they have softened. This is a great job for your immersion blender if you have one, but you can also do it in batches in your regular counter top blender.

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Fill 'er Up

Ham, bacon, and sausage all go exceptionally well with peas. One of the most traditional ways of making split pea soup is to flavor it with ham bones. Most recipes include onion, celery, carrots, and potatoes. In the herb department, bay leaves, thyme, mint, marjoram, rosemary, and parsley are all delicious additions. If you like to flavor your soup with tomatoes, lemon juice, vinegar, wine or any other acidic ingredients, wait until the end of cooking to add these, or else the acid will prevent the uncooked split peas from getting soft.

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