My kids get excited when I tell them we're having split pea soup for dinner. Weirdo kids. I wouldn't say this soup is to die for but if my kids will happily eat something that is cheap, healthy and made in the crockpot, I consider it a win. It's an especially great meal for a cold Lenten Friday. And if you think split pea soup is gross then, hey, it's especially appropriate. That's what I tell my husband.
Split Pea Soup
Ingredients:
1 16 oz. package of split peas (or 2-3 cups)
1 diced yellow onion
1 cup diced carrots
1 diced potato (I normally leave the skins on.)
8 cups water or veggie/chicken stock
3 tbsp. vegetable soup base (if you're just using water. I prefer Better Than Bouillon)
1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
pepper to taste
optional:
1 extra cup carrots
2 extra potatoes
Throw everything but the optional ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low 5-6 hours or on high 4-5 hours. Puree with an immersion blender. If it's thicker than you'd like, add a little more water.
Done.
Throw some crackers on it and serve it up. Maybe your weirdo kids will eat it, too.
Optional:
This time around after pureeing I diced up the extra cup of carrots and two potatoes and threw those in. Keep the crockpot going another few hours to soften them. This is nice if you like a bit more texture in your soup because it's certainly not the most appetizing looking of foods when just pureed. Also good for babies at the I-insist-on-eating-things-on-my-own-but-soup-doesn't-work-that-well stage. I'll fish them out so the Luke-babe will be able to eat them on his own.
It doesn't matter. Split pea soup in any form is just not pretty.
But vegan, crockpot, gluten free, freezer friendly and cheap? Yes, please. I'd estimate it costs about $4 at the most to make a meal that will feed this family of six TWICE and that's WITH the fancy organic stuff. I'll sacrifice the aesthetics, thank you.
Linking up with Beth Anne's Best. Click on over for some more meatless meal ideas for Lent!
Thanks so much for linking up!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it! I always get nervous giving out recipes or cooking for other people. I should have you sign a waiver that you will not hold me responsible if you don't like it :)
DeleteSo good! Now...and this is my ignorance showing big time...would this work with lentils in the place of split peas or no?
ReplyDeleteYo no se. I'm ignorant as well. I think so? I guess I don't see why not? I have never ever ever made a lentil soup that I actually enjoyed. That's pure LENT(il) food right there. (Get it???? I crack myself up.)
DeleteI LOVE split pea soup. In fact, no lie, just today the I read the book "Owl At Home" to my kids, and guess what? No lie, the owl ate pea soup. And I was thinking "Man I'd love some split pea soup right about now" and obviously you read my mind. haha. I use a Cooking Light recipe but yours looks delicious too! yum:)
ReplyDeletewhy did I write "no lie" twice? i want to die now.
DeleteHa! I didn't even notice! And I don't know that book either! I get my kids excited to eat vegetable soup because it usually has all the same things as "birthday soup" from the Little Bear books. "Carrots, potatoes, peas, and tomatoes..."
DeleteOK, I LOVE pea soup, and I've never made it in a crockpot or without a hambone.....so this is perfect for me - and it actually fits with the stupid Perfect Health Diet - thank you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm adding it to my Friday meal list. This sounds delicious and I think my kids would love it. Now if I can just get my husband to eat it without demanding some bacon as garnishment...one can wish.
ReplyDelete