Slovak Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried split peas 2 cups (400g) dried split peas
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 6 cups (1.4L) vegetable broth 6 cups (1.4L) vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 8g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 16g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the split peas under cold water and drain.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the split peas, bay leaf, smoked paprika, and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until the split peas are soft and cooked through.
4. 4.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Using an immersion blender or a countertop blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
5. 5.
   Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Serve the Slovak Split Pea Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Split peas — Make sure to rinse the split peas thoroughly before using to remove any impurities.
• Smoked paprika — Opt for high-quality smoked paprika to enhance the smoky flavor of the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, add diced potatoes to the soup while simmering.
• Customize the soup by adding other vegetables like peas or corn.
• To make the soup even creamier, stir in a splash of coconut milk or cashew cream.
• Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more vegetable broth if desired.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future enjoyment.

Serving advice

Serve the Slovak Split Pea Soup as a main course accompanied by a slice of crusty bread. It pairs well with a fresh green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. Serve it in individual bowls or in a large soup tureen for a family-style presentation.