Split Pea Soup with Ham

Split Pea Soup with Ham
Add crunch to your lunch with this soup that features split peas, ham, and homemade whole-wheat croutons. Use leftover ham to make split pea soup prep even easier. You’ll turn to this split pea soup with ham all winter long — especially when you need to warm up!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves 6

Recipe credit: MarthaStewart

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 chopped medium onion
• 4 carrots, thinly sliced
• 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 bag (16 ounces) green split peas, picked over and rinsed
• Ham bone plus 2 cups ham cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, crusts removed, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.