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:

• In a Dutch oven or 5-quart heavy pot with a lid, heat oil over medium. Add onion, carrots, celery, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add broth, split peas, ham bone, and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and partially cover; simmer until peas are soft, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make croutons: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add bread and cook, tossing occasionally, until browned and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Remove and discard bone from soup. Working in batches, puree only 1/2 the soup in a blender (don't overfill); return to pot. Add ham cubes, and simmer until heated through. If necessary, thin with water. Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. Serve topped with 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.

Steps:

• Remove dark-green outer leaves of romaine lettuce, and coarsely chop (to yield 8 cups). Reserve remaining lettuce for another use.
• In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add lettuce; stir until just wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Add peas, and simmer until bright green, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in mint. Season again with salt and pepper. Using an immersion or regular blender (work in batches), puree soup until smooth. If necessary, reheat soup over medium-low heat. Serve garnished with croutons.

Steps:

• Spread the pancetta over the base of a medium soup pan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, rendering the fat, until browned on the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Pour off all but a thin coating of fat. Return to medium heat, and add the garlic and leek. Cook until soft on the edges. Add the peas, broth and 2 cups of water. Season with salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until the peas are just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the chives and tarragon. Let steep for 5 minutes. Ladle the soup in small batches into a blender and purée until smooth (because it is hot, turn the blender on low and hold the lid on tight). Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little lemon juice to sharpen the flavor. Meanwhile, break the bread into small croutons and toss in a bowl with olive oil, just to coat. Ladle soup into bowls and top each bowl with a little pancetta and a few croutons.