Split Pea Soup from Scratch

I made Split pea and ham soup today for the first time from scratch. It's one of my fav soups, so I thought it would be fun to try. I'm not much of a cook, so anything I do from scratch is a real big deal, trust me. Although, since I've started this blog, I've tried a number of things from scratch and I have to say it's quite enjoyable!

Well, I don't think I will ever be able to eat split pea soup again from a can! Just knowing that it is all fresh ingredients, and minimal salt and no preservatives makes it taste that much better. It was VERY good! I had a second bowl even after I was full. And, I have about 4 more meals of soup to go. ... yum!

I used this recipe. It took about 2.5 hours in total from the second I started chopping to the second I started eating. Really, I just watched a bit of tv, and did some chores around the house, and BAM, it was ready! However.... I would recommend that you keep an eye on it every few minutes.

During the cooking process of split peas, the peas will absorb a considerable amount of water. To avoid ruining the dish by having peas burn on the bottom, it is important to frequently check the water level of the split pea soup while cooking. If the water looks low, more should be added to ensure the split pea soup turns out creamy and flavorful. I didn't watch it closely enough, and the peas burned to the bottom. However, I managed to salvage the good peas, and leave the burned ones at the bottom and switched bowls. It tasted just fine!

While most of us are familiar with split pea soup, there is a lot behind those little peas. Did you know that dried peas have been a staple of the human diet since prehistoric times? Peas have been found in archeological digs in Egypt, Asia, and Rome. Peas also played an important role in the genetic studies of Gregor Mendel in the 19th century.

History aside, those little dried peas carry a lot of punch. Are you worried about your cholesterol level? Eat split peas! Full of soluble fiber, peas help to bind up cholesterol-containing bile and move it out of your body. This can help with conditions like irritable bowelsyndrome and diverticulosis. A single cup of cooked dried peas in your daily diet provides 65.1% of the recommended daily fiber. They also provide a good amount of protein, two B-vitamins, and several important minerals. Peas also include isoflavones, which are helpful in reducing the risk of breast and prostate cancer.

If you are diabetic, or have it in your family, split peas can be your best friend. Peas help stabilize your blood sugar levels while providing a steady supply of energy. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetics who eat at least 50 grams of fiber per day can lower their cholesterol, their triglycerides, and the VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoprotein) by a considerable amount. Full article about Health benefits here!

You should make split pea soup from scratch today, not only for great health benefits but to try something yummy made from all fresh ingredients...