Swedish Yellow Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried yellow peas 2 cups (400g) dried yellow peas
• 1 smoked ham hock (about 1 lb / 450g) 1 smoked ham hock (about 1 lb / 450g)
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) water 8 cups (1.9 liters) water
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 8g
• Protein: 23g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the dried yellow peas under cold water and remove any debris. Place them in a large pot.
2. 2.
   Add the ham hock, chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, minced garlic, bay leaves, dried thyme, and water to the pot.
3. 3.
   Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
4. 4.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 2 hours or until the peas are tender and start to break down.
5. 5.
   Remove the ham hock from the pot and shred the meat. Discard the bone and fat. Return the shredded meat to the pot.
6. 6.
   Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
7. 7.
   Serve the Swedish Yellow Pea Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ham hock — Make sure to choose a smoked ham hock for its distinct flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute it with smoked turkey leg or bacon for a similar smoky taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker consistency, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender before adding the shredded ham hock back in.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of Swedish mustard for an extra kick of flavor.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future enjoyment.

Serving advice

Serve the Swedish Yellow Pea Soup piping hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a side of Swedish pancakes or crispbread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in rustic-style bowls or traditional Swedish soup bowls for an authentic presentation.