Simple Split Pea Soup

I have jars of Grains, Beans and Pulses on my kitchen counter to inspire me to use them and last night I made Split Pea Soup as my son asked me for the recipe. It's so easy and actually so fast to make. You can add meat if you like -  Ham, Smoked Sausage or Bacon, or it can easily be made Vegetarian with no loss of flavor. It's creaminess comes from the mashed up cooked Peas and from the Potato. I serve it with Garlic Bread and sprinkle on Cavender's Greek Seasoning. t's healthy, satisfying and a perfect week night winter dinner! 

Simple Split Pea Soup

2 cups Green Split Peas, rinsed

2 Carrots, trimmed and peeled and diced

2 Celery Stalks, trimmed and  diced

1 medium Onion, trimmed, peeled and diced

1 large or 2 small Potatoes, peeled and diced

4 cups of Chicken or Vegetable Broth

4 cups Water

1 1/2  teaspoons Salt

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1 Bay Leaf

Optional:  1 cup of diced Ham, Sausage or Bacon pieces

In a large soup pot, add in the Split Peas, Carrots, Celery, Onion and Potatoes. Then add in the Broth, Water, Salt, Pepper and Bay Leaf. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Skim foam that comes up. Cook, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Test Peas to see if they are done and if they are still hard, cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Remove the Bay Leaf. Using a Potato Masher, lightly mash down on the soup several times. If you are adding in Meat, do so now and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Five Element Analysis

This is a soup, which automatically makes it a Water food, but it is so thick that it also incorporates some of the Earth Element.  Peas, being Pulses bring in more of the Earth Element although their green color brings in a bit of the Wood Element too. The Potatoes and Carrots also contribute more of the Earth Element. The Celery and Chicken or Vegetable Broth add more of the Wood Element and the Onions and Bay Leaf make sure the Metal Element is present too  Only the Fire Element is missing, so serve a lovely dessert incorporating some Fire Element fruits.