Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup has always been one of my favorite comfort foods, even prior to my switch to a plant-based lifestyle. With just a couple of tweaks and adjustments, this version is just as nourishing, restorative, delicious and not to mention, healthier.
Ingredients:
10 cups of vegetable stock
6 cups Split Peas
2 cups chopped carrots
2 gala apples, diced
1 or 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute
parsley, to taste
thyme, to taste
s/p, to taste
The objective of this soup is to be fast, efficient and wholly nutritious. It will not win any culinary awards for creativity, as it is meant to satisfy dinner time constraints that parlay into several rounds of guilt-free leftovers. I don't know about you, but not every night can be spent in the kitchen creating culinary masterpieces. I also make this soup when I'm being more mindful of my diet, as it involves only whole foods with minimal preparation. If you wish to dress it up a bit, take some time to roast your vegetables, add in a special ingredient like roasted fennel, or introduce some Field Roast vegan sausage. Yum.
So, off we go. Add the vegetable broth to a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Once ready, add in the split peas, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, onion, and 21 seasoning salute. Stir to incorporate. Lower to a simmer and stir occasionally for about 35-40 minutes, until the peas begin to break down and thicken the soup. I like to add the fresh herbs until this point in order to retain their color, it's just a thing for me. The rest, however, is entirely up to you and your preference. The longer the simmer, the thicker and denser your soup will become. A shorter simmer will result in a lighter, more textured soup.
Pictured here is the result of about 40 minutes of simmer, but I have done much more before. Unlike my other dishes, I do not mind the fruits and vegetables softening into the consistency of the peas. Less texture here is completely fine. It creates such a comforting, smooth and blended result. Additionally, if you would like to blend further with an immersion blender, by all means. The best part is that you are free to indulge in several, guilt-free portions.
Enjoy!