Norwegian Green Pea Soup with Bacon

Ingredients

• 500g (2 cups) dried green peas 500g (2 cups) dried green peas
• 200g (7 oz) bacon, diced 200g (7 oz) bacon, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable or chicken broth 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 8g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the dried green peas under cold water and soak them overnight.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pot, sauté the chopped onion, carrots, and potatoes until they are slightly softened.
4. 4.
   Drain the soaked green peas and add them to the pot along with the vegetable or chicken broth.
5. 5.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour or until the peas are tender.
6. 6.
   Remove the pot from the heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
7. 7.
   Return the pot to the heat and add the fresh thyme, chopped parsley, and cooked bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Simmer the soup for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
9. 9.
   Serve the Norwegian Green Pea Soup with Bacon hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried green peas — Soaking the peas overnight helps to soften them and reduce the cooking time.
• Bacon — Choose a high-quality bacon with a good balance of fat and meat for the best flavor in the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the bacon with smoked tofu or tempeh for a similar smoky flavor.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche on top of each serving for a creamy and tangy touch.
• Serve the soup with freshly baked Norwegian flatbread or crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Norwegian Green Pea Soup with Bacon as a main course accompanied by a side of warm bread. It can also be served as a starter before a traditional Norwegian meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh thyme and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color. Serve the soup in rustic bowls or traditional Norwegian soup tureens to enhance the presentation.