Mmmmm.  Split-pea soup. It’s one of my favorite ways to make our Christmas ham last through the new year.

Normally, I use my crock pot. But this year, I used my pressure cooker—just to see how it would turn out.  I warned my family in advance that it might not be amazing but I decided to give it a try anyway. Hey, what are they gonna do?  They’re stuck with my kitchen adventuring ways!

Wouldn’t you know it?  It turns out that using my pressure cooker turned out the creamiest, yummiest split-pea soup I’ve ever made.  I was able to serve it straight out of the pot, without adding anything to thicken it.

If you like this yummy soup, give this recipe a try.  And let me know how it turns out!  I’ll also post the slow cooker version at the bottom for those of you who like slow cookers.

Split Pea Soup {pressure cooker version}

Serves 6-9

6 cups of water or broth (I used ham broth, but you can use chicken broth, too.)
Ham bone if you have it
2 1/4 cups split peas, rinsed
2 cups chopped celery
1 whole onion, chopped

Delicious and nutritious!

4 cloves of garlic, diced
3 carrots, diced
2 tablespoons organic, no-salt seasoning (from Costco if you have it)
pepper
2 bay leaves

—ham—  as much as you like.  But do not add until the soup is finished in the pressure cooker.

Instructions:

Put all in ingredients except ham into pressure cooker.  Set timer for 15 minutes. Allow pressure to come down on it’s own. This will take another 15 minutes or so.

When pressure is released, remove bay leaves and stir.  Add ham if you are so inclined. (I am always inclined this way if I have ham in the house!)
Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with corn bread or salad.  Enjoy!

{slow cooker version}

as above, except: cook on low for 6-8 hours
Remove bay leaves
Add ham

Stir.  To thicken, I usually add a mixture of milk and flour that I’ve prepared in my salad dressing shaker).  I don’t honestly know how much I use.  I would guess it’s about 1/2 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of flour mixed very well. You can also thicken with instant potato flakes, or cornstarch and water.  Be sure to mix the cornstarch well, one part starch to two parts COLD water.

Enjoy!

heidi