Home ยป Split Pea Soup {Crock Pot}

Split Pea Soup {Crock Pot}

I’m a daddy’s girl, there’s no denying it. And my dad is such a softie…I usually got what I wanted. Sometimes that was in the way of food.

Dads always want to be their little girls’ hero. My dad, he’s my hero…he makes the best split pea soup. In college, he would always send me back to campus with a big’ol Tupperware full.

See, if I wasn’t raised on the split pea soup ever, I would turn my nose up to the stuff, too. It looks like a cross between swamp water and snot, if I’m being honest. But let’s not go there because that does quite an injustice to that which is split pea soup. This ugly green soup deserves respect. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. You hear me?

Dad always made split pea after Easter because we would save the ham hock to season the split pea. It’s fabulous. But seeing as I’ve never cooked so much as a turkey, much less a ham, I was ecstatic to find Joanne’s recipe that called for sausage. This I could handle…this I would love. Indeed, I was right. And while this split pea wasn’t quite up there with my dad’s (1. food always tastes better if you didn’t make it and 2. it wasn’t made with my daddy’s TLC), it was pretty much phenomenal.

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Split Pea Soup slightly adapted from Eats Well with Others

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 links spicy Italian chicken turkey sausage
1 2 carrots, finely diced
1 red onion, finely diced
1 Tbsp 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb split peas
1 bay leaf
1 sprig rosemary
1 tsp 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Remove the sausage from it’s casings and saute in the oil, breaking the sausage into crumbles using a spatula as you go along. When it is cooked through and browned, place it into your crock pot, leaving as much oil behind as possible.

Put the carrots and the onion into the same pan. Add the tbsp of salt. Cook for about 3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute. Pour into the crock pot.

Place the split peas, bay leaf, rosemary, cayenne, and black pepper into the crock pot as well. Pour in 6 cups water. Stir to mix. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours. Yield: 8 cups (~5 servings).

Nutrition Information (per cup): 211 calories; 3.8 g. fat; 13 mg. cholesterol; 595 mg. sodium; 38 g. carbohydrate; 15.5 g. fiber; 18.8 g. protein

Result: DELICIOUS! I love, love, love the nutrition stats on this soup, too! Low calorie, low-fat, lots of protein and nearly 16 grams of fiber per CUP! Holy fiber! It is also extremely easy to make (10 minute prep) and kind on the pocketbook…all good things 😀 It can also be made vegetarian/vegan by omitting the sausage or using a meat substitute. Enjoy!

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I am off work today (yay!) and am spending my morning cleaning this filthy dirty house. It’s…bad, people. My parents are due into town around 2pm and I have a LOT to do! Off I go…have a fabulous weekend and lots of good eats! I have a few dishes up my sleeve for my parents! 😀

Question: What ugly food do you love?

TGIF,

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22 Comments

  1. Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews
    February 18, 2011 / 6:42 am

    I love pea soup! Looks awesome.

  2. Estela @ Weekly Bite
    February 18, 2011 / 7:16 am

    I happen to love split pea soup! Looks delicious ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Gina (The Candid RD)
    February 18, 2011 / 7:31 am

    OH I love split pea soup, although I rarely eat it. My dad used to make chili all the time, so there must be something about dad’s and stews/soups.

    I like a lot of “ugly” foods. Such as…canned pickled beets! haha, or..brussel sprouts. Heck, I love so many foods that are ugly, I could probably come up with a mile long list eventually.

    Have a great weekend with your family!

  4. Holly
    February 18, 2011 / 8:07 am

    It sounds like you and your dad have a really neat relationship! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m just now close to my dad (growing up, we DEFinitely butted heads) and there is nothing like a father’s love, right???

    I love green smoothies (spinach, banana, etc.) which look HORRIBLE. But I even got my super picky 6 year old niece to try it, and she LIKED it!

    Hope you have a blast with your parents this weekend, Nicole!

  5. Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa
    February 18, 2011 / 8:11 am

    I have never eaten split pea soup before…might just have to give it a try!

  6. the usa kiwi
    February 18, 2011 / 8:32 am

    I love the nutrition stats. Plus I have all the ingredients on hand already. Yay!

  7. FoodFitnessFreshair
    February 18, 2011 / 8:38 am

    This reminds me I haven’t eaten split pea soup in far too long! My mom always made it growing up with a side of fresh corn bread….Oh I could really go for some of that soon. I feel like a lot of my bean dishes turn out looking not the prettiest…nothing a few herbs can’t spice up.

  8. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    February 18, 2011 / 8:48 am

    Yes, split pea soup is ugly, but it is SO good!!!

  9. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
    February 18, 2011 / 9:38 am

    I LOVE split pea soup!!!! Have a wonderful weekend with your parents! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Andrea@WellnessNotes
    February 18, 2011 / 9:44 am

    I love split pea soup and really pretty much any soup, and a lot of my soups aren’t pretty. But they taste great, and that’s really all that matters! ๐Ÿ™‚ Love that you always took a container of split pea soup back to college!

    Happy cleaning, and have fun with your parents!

  11. Erin L. @ WholesomeRD
    February 18, 2011 / 9:52 am

    I’m in love with pea soup too! When I bring leftovers to work – everyone gives me the “yuck” look! haha! I’ll have to try your version with the sausage – great idea!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

  12. renee@mykitchenadventures
    February 18, 2011 / 11:44 am

    oh…I want this soup for lunch today! haha yum. I can’t think of any ugly foods i like off hand…but I like just about anything..so I am guessing there has to be some ugly stuff I like! haha have a great day, Nicole!

  13. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
    February 18, 2011 / 1:20 pm

    Aww what a sweet post about your dad! I’m getting into Indian food, which doesn’t look so hot but tastes pretty yummy!

  14. Leah @ Why Deprive?
    February 18, 2011 / 1:35 pm

    Oh my goodness!! My dad ALWAYS makes split pea soup!! Its his thing. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Everytime my mom makes ham, she HAS to save the ham water so he can make it. He’ll make a monster batch and save some for us and send the rest off to my Grandpa.

  15. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
    February 18, 2011 / 3:24 pm

    I have always love split pea soup! However, i’ve never made it myself. I love that it’s a crockpot recipe. Definitely something I can get down with ๐Ÿ™‚

    Hope you have a great time with your parents!

  16. Kenya
    February 18, 2011 / 3:50 pm

    Hey PRD!
    I roasted my 1st turkey this past Christmas season. I made a full Christmas dinner the week after Christmas for my inlaws. I will say that it’s easier that I thought it was, I also baked a ham too! You should try it!! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m sure you can come up with tons of turkey recipes for the leftovers!!

  17. Kristen (swanky dietitian)
    February 18, 2011 / 4:26 pm

    My mom used to make split pea soup from scratch when I was little also. I just loved it. I haven’t had it in so long but this recipe sounds amazing.
    Enjoy your day off and have a great weekend, Nicole!

  18. Roz
    February 18, 2011 / 7:34 pm

    I’m home with a cold today, and boy, do I ever wish I had a bowl of your pea soup today!!! Have a great weekend.

  19. Sophia
    February 19, 2011 / 3:08 am

    Aw, what a sweet thing to say about your dad….hee hee, my dad is a big softie, and my hero too! I was just on the phone for 2 hours with him. I love, love, love my daddy, and am proud to say I’m his little girl. ๐Ÿ™‚

    As for this split pea soup…I’ve always loved split pea soup. And though the color isn’t the lovely green or orange color you get from other creamy soups, I think the taste is just gorgeous. One “ugly” food I love is kimchi…it’s red and stinky, but so good!

  20. Joanne
    February 19, 2011 / 8:36 am

    It’s definitely hard to beat dad’s homecooked meals. I’ve yet to master my father’s pasta with ricotta sauce. Possibly because I’m unwilling to add as much ricotta, cream, and parmesan cheese as he does.

    I’m so glad you liked this! Have fun with y9our parents this weekend!

  21. CaSaundra
    February 19, 2011 / 9:00 am

    I’ve always been scared off by split pea soup due to the fact that it required a ham hock–so this recipe is perfect! ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. Liz
    February 22, 2011 / 8:58 am

    I made this last night (in a dutch oven instead of crock pot). I love split pea soup but my usual recipe calls for bacon and lots of onion. This recipe is quite different and super yummy!

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