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Hairy Bikers Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

Hairy Bikers Pea and Ham Soup Recipe

Love a bowl of cozy soup on a chilly day? The Hairy Bikers Pea and Ham Soup Recipe hits the spot. It's hearty and smoky and full of flavor. This classic dish warms your soul.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine British
Servings 6
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g dried split green peas rinsed well
  • 1 large smoked ham hock about 800g
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 celery sticks chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1.5 liters vegetable stock
  • 1 liter water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • Squeeze of lemon juice optional

Instructions
 

Prep the Ham Hock

  • Place the ham hock in a large pot. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Skim off any foam. Simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. This removes excess salt. Pat dry. Set aside. Takes about 15 minutes total.

Sauté the Veggies

  • Heat olive oil in the pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic. Cook 1 more minute until fragrant. Don't let it brown. This builds sweet flavor base. Veggies should glisten nicely.

Add Peas and Ham

  • Tip in rinsed split peas. Stir for 1 minute to coat. Add the prepped ham hock, bay leaves, stock, and water. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Peas will soften. Ham infuses smoky taste. Stir occasionally.

Blend the Soup

  • Remove ham hock and bay leaves. Let ham cool slightly. Pull off meat in shreds. Discard bone and fat. Return meat to pot. Use immersion blender to puree soup smooth. Or blend in batches. Add a splash of water if too thick. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Simmer and Serve

  • Return to low heat. Simmer 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy hot. Your kitchen smells amazing now!

Notes

  • Soak peas overnight for creamier texture.
  • Use leftover ham instead of hock for quicker prep.
  • Add a potato for extra thickness.
  • Make it vegan: Swap ham for smoked paprika and mushrooms.
  • Spice it up with thyme or chili flakes.
  • Freeze half the batch for busy nights.
  • Blend only halfway for chunky texture.
Keyword Hairy Bikers Pea and Ham Soup Recipe