Hock your old recipe for pea soup because this will put shame to the old and tired version! It has the same great attributes to traditional Pea soup but some hidden heat in the background puts some well needed  punch in your mouth! Don’t be afraid to improvise if you haven’t a ham bone laying around, just replace with a cut up ham steak or even chopped turkey ham, you can even try bacon instead of ham hock and I’m sure it will taste great, but my original recipe is fantastic!

Move aside Anderson’s. this pea soup is a winner!

INGREDIENTS;

1 large onion, chopped

2 carrots , chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

** 1/2 to 3/4 cup ( one or two peppers) chopped, roasted, and skinned pasilla/ pablano chili , (depending on heat level of the pepper) **

1 med. ham hock

1 fairly meaty ham bone

2 quarts chicken broth (one qt. unsalted or reduced sodium)

1 16 oz. bag of green split peas

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp. marjoram

1/2 tsp. dry thyme

1 tsp. garlic powder

salt and lots of pepper to taste

** place peppers under broiler and blacken all over, then place in a plastic bag to let steam, (about 5 minutes). Remove skin and most of the seeds. Do not rinse chili!!! That will wash away a lot of it’s flavor we want!**

DIRECTIONS:

In large soup pot sauté onion, celery and carrots in about tablespoons oil for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Add chili’s and split peas and stir well to coat. Add rest or ingredients except salt and pepper, we will add that towards the end so peas hold their shape. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to simmer or very low and cover pot. Cook soup for about 1and1/2 hours. remove hock and ham bone. Remove meat from bones and cut into desired size. Now flavor the soup with salt and plenty of pepper to your liking. Continue to cook peas until they are done,(about another 1/2 an hour). Once they are done remove bay leaves and puree soup with a hand held wand or in the blender until smooth, (you may omit this process if desired but it really makes the soup creamy and beautiful). Now add the meat back into the soup, check seasonings and “volla”, soups on! Serve with crunchy croûtons on top of the soup along with a sandwich for a great dinner.

YUMMY!!