Split Pea Soup

Hello friends!  Happy Tuesday to you all.  The weather here had turned cold for a while there so I was looking for something warm to eat.  Oddly when I made this Sunday night it was about 68, not very cold LOL.  So, most of the time that I had ever heard of or had Split Pea Soup it was made with ham.  You know the really salty stuff!  This recipe uses roasted turkey which is definitely a change.  A likeable change.  Now, again, I know I'm posting a recipe that not a lot of people are going to be very fond of.  I never was growing up.  But this, I really enjoyed.  Another plus, super cheap!  Full of veggies as well.  If the turkey isn't enough for you in this I don't see any problem replacing it with the ham that I referred to earlier.  This is a food I remember from childhood.  Might have been part of the reason Dad enjoyed it so much.  Give it a chance friends.  Your Residents just might surprise you !!  :D

Split Pea Soup

2 Cups dried split peas

12 Cups water

4 Bay leaves

Sea Salt

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped

4 ribs celery, trimmed and chopped

3 thick carrots, peeled and chopped

2 Cups low sodium chicken or broth

6 Cups water

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1.5 Cups cubed roasted turkey breast

1.  Put dried peas in large saucepan and cover with 12 Cups of water.  Add 2 bay leaves and sea salt and bring to a boil.  Let cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.  Drain and set aside.

2.  In a dutch oven, place olive oil and heat over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and corrots.  Saute for 8 minutes or until onion begins to turn translucent.

3.  Add chicken broth or preferred cooking liquid and 6 Cups of water.  add 2 more bay leaves, peas and thyme and bring to a boil.  Add roasted turkey breast.  Reduce heat and cover.  Let simmer for an hour.  The peas need to be soft.  Check the pot now and then since the peas have a tendancy to settle to the bottom and burn.  You'll have to break them up by stirring them.

4.  Remove the bay leaves and season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.  Serve Hot!

Ok, now for credit for this simple recipe.  Simple truth is, I have no earthly idea.  I found it in my mom;s recipe files but it was in my hand writing.  I don't remember it at all, but it wouldn't have been the first time I wrote out a recipe for my mom.  Apparently I didn't think to write on it then where we got it.  I googled and didn't find anything quite like it though I'm sure it is out there somewhere.  Enjoy!