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.

Hot Lemonade with Honey

I've been traveling way too much lately and feel like I have been suffering from constant jetlag, but considering my schedule - I haven't had a chance to get over it yet! I went from Seattle to London for a few days, then to Singapore for a week and from there to Amsterdam for a week and then back to London for a few days, working at each stop. Needless to say, I had no time or place to cook although I did have some fabulous meals in Singapore. I am finally stopping at a friend's house for a few days before singing at a party in Switzerland this weekend and teaching in Germany the next. And no surprise - I have caught a cold and I need to get over it fast. I am definitely going to start cooking now as that is the best way I know to heal myself and the chicken soup will be bubbling on the stove in just a little while (see 4/19 post for one recipe) .

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you my favorite cold remedy - Hot Lemonade with Honey. Most of you probably know how very easy this is to make, but for those of you who don't - I'm posting it for you. Try to buy an organic lemon that has no wax on it and wash it thoroughly. You can make this in a cup with one slice of lemon and a big heaping Tablespoon of honey and you can even add a shot of Whiskey or Scotch to make it a Hot Toddy, but I prefer it plain. You can also make it hot tea with lemon and honey by using either black tea - I prefer English Breakfast or Green Tea. I like to make it in a much larger quantity and have several cups at a time (this teapot made six cups!) The honey and lemon clear the throat and soothe it too. I drink this quite often even when I am not sick because it is so good for you and as a speaker, it is so good both before and after a lecture. It has also been my beverage of choice before singing. I find it is especially good at the very first sign of a sore throat. So try it if you don't already drink it.

Hot Lemonade with Honey

1 large lemon, ends cut off and cut into 8 slices

6 cups boiling water

6 - 8 Tablespoons Honey

Optional: 1 shot of Whiskey or Scotch for each cup of Hot Lemonade

Optional: 1-2 English Breakfast teabags or 1 - 2 Green Tea teabags

In a large teapot, mix lemon slices with boiling water and tea (if using). Stir in honey and taste. Add more if necessary. Pour into mugs and add a shot of spirits (if using).

Five Element Analysis

As a beverage, Hot Lemonade clearly represents the Water Element. Lemons belong to the Wood Element as they can be so sour. The honey brings in the Earth Element. Using tea or spirits adds the Fire Element. Then only the Metal Element is missing. If you are drinking this while sick, make chicken soup with lots of onion, garlic and thyme and that will add the Metal Element that is needed.