Today’s Split Pea Soup recipe was adapted from the new Free eCookbook, Smart School Time Recipes: The Breakfast, Snack, and Lunchbox Cookbook for Healthy Kids and Adults. It was by my good friend, the fabulous non-dairy diva, Sarena. Her version is vegetarian. But I knew the very word “bacon” would get my husband excited about this soup so I snuck some in. And he loved it. I think he would have loved it sans bacon too as the base was seriously delicious. So feel free to go with her original recipe or maybe add some vegetarian / vegan bacon? In fact, I think I will probably give the vegan bacon recipe a go the next time around.
For Sarena’s original version, grab yourself a copy of Smart School Time Recipes…
Special Diet Notes: Split Pea Soup with a Hint of Bacon
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and peanut-free. Optionally vegan and vegetarian.
- 1 to 2 slices of bacon, chopped or a handful of bacon pieces (not bacon bits)
- 3 to 4 medium to large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 cup diced onions or ½ teaspoon onion powder (I ran out or onions, so I used onion powder instead and it was still delicious)
- 2 medium-large garlic cloves, crushed
- 8 ounces dry split peas, picked and rinsed
- 1-1/2 cups diced potatoes (about 1 large Russet or 4 little white potatoes – which I used)
- 4 cups chicken, no-chicken broth, or vegetable broth (I used Imagine Foods Chicken Broth)
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon pepper (to taste)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt (start with ¼ and work your way up if you think it needs more - I used between this amount)
- Add the bacon pieces to a large pot and cook over medium-low heat for a couple minutes.
- Add the diced carrots and onions (if using) and cook for about 5 minutes (you can add a little liquid if there isn't enough fat from the bacon to preven sticking).
- Add the crushed garlic and cook for just a minute more.
- Add the peas, potatoes, and broth, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and allow it to simmer for about 45 minutes.
- Season with the salt and pepper to taste, give it a nice stir, and allow it to simmer for another 5 minutes.
