Smoked Wild Ham & Split Pea Soup

With the holidays upon us we are always looking for easy tasty recipes to make using our leftovers. With this split pea soup recipe you can take that left over ham bone and create a stunning dish with little to no effort on your part. Being a stay at home dad easy is better when it comes to dinner and easy to me means my slow cooker. not only can you set it and forget it but you get to smell dinner in your house all day long. Let’s get down to this delicious Smoked Ham hock & split pea soup and fill your house with the smell of fall.

Smoked Ham Hock & Split Pea Soup

Slow Cooker Recipe

From Field To Plate

Ingredients:

1 smoked ham hock (even better if there is still meat on the bone)

2 pounds split peas, rinsed

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 yellow onion, diced

8 cups homemade or chicken stock

2 tablespoons garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

½ tablespoon cracked pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon dried rosemary

(If you’re ham hock does not have enough meat add 1-2 cups of chopped smoked ham)

 Directions:

1. In slow cooker add 1 pound of peas, carrots, onions, garlic and celery. On top of veggies add ham bone and ham chucks (if needed).
2. Add stock, bay leaf and spices turn slow cooker to high and walk away for 4 hours
3. Remove bone from soup and pull off all meat and add back to slow cooker, Discard bone. stir soup to start mashing the peas. Add second pound of split peas at this time. People ask me why I add a second bag, reason is I like to still have whole pieces of peas in my soup. So by adding more you will still have those delicious chucks of peas. Plus a pound of split peas is under a buck so why not.
4. Cook additional 3-4 hours on high
5. Turn off heat, stir soup and let sit uncovered for 15 minutes and then stir again. You will see the soup has begun to thinking itself by the peas dissolving. This means its ready to be served and enjoyed
6. Fill your favorite bowl and top with your favorite toppings like crackers, cheddar cheese of fresh bacon. Be creative and have fun

Jeremiah Doughty

From Field To Plate