Split Pea Soup With Croutons Recipes

Steps:

• Simmer ham hocks in 16 cups water in a deep 6-quart pot, uncovered, until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Transfer ham hocks to a cutting board and measure broth: If it measures more than 12 cups, continue boiling until reduced; if less, add enough water to total 12 cups. When hocks are cool enough to handle, discard skin and cut meat into 1/4-inch pieces (reserve bones).
• Chop 2 carrots and cook along with onion and celery in 2 tablespoons oil in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add split peas, table salt, pepper, ham hock broth, and reserved bones and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are falling apart and soup is slightly thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• While soup simmers, toss bread with remaining 3 tablespoons oil and kosher salt in a large bowl, then spread in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan and bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Cool croutons in pan on a rack.
• Halve remaining 2 carrots lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Remove bones from soup with a slotted spoon and discard. Add carrots and ham pieces to soup and simmer, uncovered, until carrots are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add frozen peas and simmer, uncovered, stirring, until just heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt.
• Serve soup with croutons.

Steps:

• Croutons-can be made up to 2 days ahead; preheat oven to 350°; spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet; drizzle with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Remove and let cool completely; use immediately or store in plastic bag at room temperature.
• Soup-rinse the split peas and drain them in a colander.
• Discard any shriveled peas.
• In a large skillet, cook the bacon, turning, until crisp on both sides.
• Remove the bacon, but leave the fat in the pan.
• Drain the bacon on paper towels; crumble the bacon and set it aside to garnish the soup.
• Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden, about 10 minutes.
• Scrape the vegetables into a large slow cooker.
• Add in the split peas, herbs, broth, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until the peas are tender.
• Cool slightly.
• Discard the bay leaf.
• Transfer to a blender, puree until smooth, and reheat if necessary.
• Taste for seasoning and adjust.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with the bacon and croutons.

Steps:

• To make the soup: Rinse the peas and place them in a large saucepan.
• Pour in the water, cover and bring to a boil, skimming off the foam.
• Stir in the savory and bay leaf.
• Reduce the heat and simmer until the peas are tender, 55 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the celery, carrots, potato and onion into bite-size pieces.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat; cook the celery, carrots, potato, onion and garlic for 5 to 7 minutes or until softened.
• Add to the saucepan; simmer, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
• Remove the bay leaf.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle the soup into warmed bowls; sprinkle with croutons.
• To make the croutons: Trim the crusts off of the bread; cut into bite-size cubes.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat until the foam subsides; add the bread, stirring to coat evenly.
• Cook, stirring often, until crisp and golden.