Traditional Polish Grochówka

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried split peas 2 cups (400g) dried split peas
• 8 cups (1.9L) water 8 cups (1.9L) water
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8 oz (225g) smoked ham or kielbasa, diced 8 oz (225g) smoked ham or kielbasa, diced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Sour cream and fresh parsley for serving Sour cream and fresh parsley for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 8g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 15g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the dried split peas under cold water and drain.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, combine the split peas, water, diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, and diced smoked ham or kielbasa.
3. 3.
   Add the bay leaves and dried marjoram to the pot.
4. 4.
   Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the split peas are tender and the flavors have melded together.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaves and season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Serve the Grochówka hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Split peas — Rinse the dried split peas thoroughly before using to remove any dirt or debris.
• Smoked ham or kielbasa — If you prefer a smokier flavor, use smoked ham instead of kielbasa. You can also use a combination of both for added depth of flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker soup, you can blend a portion of the cooked split peas before adding them back to the pot.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use regular ham instead of smoked ham or kielbasa.
• Serve the Grochówka with crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables in the soup based on your preferences or what you have on hand.

Serving advice

Serve the Grochówka hot in bowls, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, drizzle a swirl of sour cream on top of the soup and sprinkle some fresh parsley leaves. Serve it in colorful bowls to make the dish visually appealing.