Description
This hearty and nutritious Split Pea Soup is a comforting blend of green split peas, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices simmered to perfection. Enhanced with optional potatoes and spinach, it offers a wholesome and flavorful meal that’s perfect for chilly days or anytime you crave a warm, filling soup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1½ teaspoon cumin
- 6 cups vegetable broth (start with 4 cups and add more if necessary)
- 2 cups green split peas, dried
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Ingredients
- ¾ pound potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
- 5 ounces (5 cups) spinach
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Warm up 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, onion, and celery, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often until the vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the grated garlic and cumin, frying for another minute to release their flavors.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the vegetable broth along with the dried split peas, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer the Soup: Cover the pot with a lid, bring the soup to a boil, then slightly crack open the lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and let it simmer gently. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes until the split peas are tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth if needed to maintain desired consistency.
- Add Potatoes (Optional): If using potatoes, add them 10 minutes after the peas have started cooking. Let them cook together until tender.
- Blend Part of the Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree 2 to 3 cups of the soup directly in the pot to create a creamy texture while leaving some chunks for heartiness.
- Adjust Seasoning and Consistency: Stir the blended soup, taste, and adjust salt or broth amount if the soup is too thick.
- Add Spinach (Optional Variation): For the spinach variation, stir in the spinach right after blending. If the soup thickens too much, add a little water or broth. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh thyme, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and serve with warm crusty bread on the side.
Notes
- Start with 4 cups of vegetable broth and add more as necessary to achieve desired soup thickness.
- Grating the garlic releases more flavor than mincing.
- Adding potatoes makes the soup more filling and adds a creamy texture.
- Blending part of the soup creates a nice balance between creamy and chunky textures.
- The spinach variation adds extra nutrients and a vibrant color to the soup.
- Use an immersion blender carefully to avoid splattering hot soup.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially after blending.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: split pea soup, vegetarian soup, vegan soup, hearty soup, healthy soup, Mediterranean soup, easy soup recipe, vegetable soup, comfort food
