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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Small Batch Pea Soup

I've been cutting way back on recipes ever since my sons moved out and it works well for me (Earl really doesn't eat much:@) This is a soup I can make with pantry items year round adding ham if I have it, or changing it up with some barley if I feel like it. You can make a hearty vegetarian dish using barley and either vegetable stock/base or just water. Sometimes I add whole frozen peas at the end for crunch.
I'm using my 4 quart electronic pressure cooker from QVC mentioned before that I love it! This soup will be done in 20 minutes cooking time, about 35 minutes total. If you don't have a PC simply make it on the stove in a 2-2.5 quart covered pot, adding extra water if you need to.

Ingredients:
Earl would be optional, but not recommended... he's kinda high maintenance:@)

Pea Soup-Small Batch, two bowls
1/2 C dry split peas (sorted)
Barley, a handful-optional
1 1/2 C water-2 C if using barley
1 1/2 tsp Chicken Better Than Bouillon
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/3 C onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced
1 carrot, peeled and cut into thicker slices
1 clove garlic, diced
couple shakes of celery seed
Ground pepper
Ham, diced-optional
Tblsp butter
Milk, approx 1/8 to 1/4 C per bowl
  1. Put peas, barley (if using) water, chicken base and olive oil in PC. Cook on high for 15 minutes.
  2. Release pressure using the quick release method.
  3. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, celery seed, pepper and ham if using. Cook on high for 3 minutes for firmer veggies, or 4 minutes for softer veggies.
  4. Release pressure using the quick release method.
  5. Stir in butter. At this point you will have approx 2 cups of pea soup. You can either add milk to the whole batch, approx 1/4 to 1/2 C (or more to your desired thickness), or split the peas into two bowls, eating one and cooling and freezing the other. 
  6. After freezing, thaw and heat, then add the milk and serve.
  7. If cooking on the stove, mix everything except butter and milk, cook gently till peas are soft stirring occasionally-approx 1 hour. Add butter and milk at the end.
Eat well and have a happy day:@)

36 comments:

  1. Ummmmmmmmm. I love pea soup. Have a great day.

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  2. Yum, sounds delicious! Earl looks quite happy on his green perch! :)

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  3. Great looking soup! Earl like split pea with HAM?

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  4. Hi Lynn,
    i will gain more and more weight with your recipes. Thanks for sharing.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  5. Your recipe for pea soup looks hearty and delicious, Lynn. I am the only one in my family who likes it so I suppose I have that only one eating it situation, too. I am on Earl's side about the you know what----just want mine plain. Hope you are having a good week.-------- Shannon

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  6. i never comment on recipe posts, but this is one of my all-time favorite soups. my mom used to make it...

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  7. This is one of my favorites! Yummy. Thanks for sharing a recipe that doesn't make volumes!

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  8. I love split pea soup, usually I make a pot full and freeze in small containers for myself. Last time I shared it with a couple of friends. I never tried it with barley. Sounds good. xo

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  9. Lynn, What is on top of Earl's back? Pea soup is so rich and yummy- so perfect for cold, blustery days! I imagined an onion, just like you said. I would probably use a BIG one! hugs, Sue

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  10. I think Earl is a little put off by the addition of the ham to the soup. I say it's an important addition!! Too bad, Earl.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  11. WE just had this last weekend...mmmmm...LOVE it!
    xxoo

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  12. This is one of my favorite soups and I appreciate that the recipe doesn't make gallons. My mom's old pressure cooker used to scare the wits out of me when I was a child. It spit and hissed and I was sure it would blow its top at any time.

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  13. I also love pea soup and thanks for the great idea to make a much smaller batch. I would never add Earl he is too cute just as he is! hugs, Linda

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  14. I've been looking for more recipes to use in my PC (QVC too) that I also love to use, this looks good and fast..also like the idea of the frozen peas for crunch..and color! xo

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  15. Greetings! I just made pea soup myself recently, with my leftover ham from Christmas. It turned out nicely. I didn't even THINK to blog about it!
    Yours looks delicious too.
    I always see your comments on other blogs and I don't believe I ever visited you! So I just became your newest Follower, now you will be on my reading list on my dashboard! ;)
    Have a great day!
    Best,
    Gloria

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  16. I like split pea soup. I don't have a pressure cooker...but, it works in a pan as long as I'm going to be around to check it. It is hard to cook after the kids leave. I still find I cook way more than we 2 can eat. I hate throwing away things, but I find I do more than I should.

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  17. I love the taste of pea soup, but man on man... it sure doesn't photograph well, does it?

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  18. Seriously, I don't know how to make a small batch! I give it away and freeze some.
    Looks good, L, and that's what pea soup looks like! :)

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  19. I need to try split pea soup again as an adult. I haven't tried it in years. As a child, I didn't like it, but it was my father's favorite soup so we had it fairly regularly.

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  20. We love pea soup. I cannot make small amounts of anything it is just impossible and there are just two of us who need small portions....ugh.

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  21. I have been making soups all week but did not make split pea soup. Now, I know what I should make next.

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  22. Earl had us all totally distracted from anything that might have been missing in the photo. Since when doesn't he eat much?

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  23. Hi Lynn, Your soup looks absolutely delicious! That's a good way to use some of your leftover ham from Christmas, as I see you did! You are such an excellent cook, Lynn.
    Hugs, Beth

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  24. I made split pea soup this week too! It's one of my all-time favorites but the recipe does make a huge pot full. I put a few thyme sprigs or dried thyme in mine too. What a great idea to make small batches for yourself.

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  25. Hi Lynn! Oh, I love split pea soup! There's a place in California called Pea Soup Anderson's near Solvang. Their soup is so good and I always think of that place when I see pea soup. I'll have to try your recipe! yummy. Don't tell Earl that I like XXX in mine! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  26. OOO, Earl...nearly EVERYone loves XXX in their pea soup.:)))

    It may not photograph well but, who cares...it sure does taste good.:))Thanks much for the recipe.

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  27. Okay you will not believe it - but I am having lunch eating pea soup as I write you! Love it. sandie

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  28. I've been in a soup sorta mood lately. What's more comforting than a piping hot bowl of hearty soup on a cold winter day???

    Have a fantastic weekend, my friend.

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  29. Split pea soup. I haven't had it this winter... what have I been thinking? Thanks for the reminder, and the recipe!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  30. Split pea soup is one of my favorites. I've never put barley in mine, but it sounds good- I'll have to try it! :)

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  31. Hubby LOVES split pea soup but I always serve him the canned type. He thanks you from the bottom of his soon to be empty soup bowl!

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  32. I have been meaning to buy a pressure cooker for a while now. This recipe sounds really yummy. Thank you!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  33. "pretend you see an onion" LOL LOL LOL too funny! You must be a real goof ball to be around in real life, Lynn. I'd love to meet you someday!

    I remember my grandmother's pressure cooker & my Mom putting the fear of God into me with horror stories about how they can explode & such. I've been scared to death to buy one. ~~shudder~~

    Your soup looks wonderful, though.
    warm hugs,
    Rett

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  34. I just made a batch of pea soup last night. I am the only one here who eats so you would think a small batch would be good for me but noooooo.
    I will freeze up most of it and enjoy it for weeks to come.
    I wonder what they will eat around here on those nights?

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  35. Love finding small batch recipes. When you've spent most of your life cooking for two boys and their father it's hard to reduce recipe volumes and so nice to have someone do it for you!!

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