Grandma's Pea Soup
My grandma's pea soup recipe was a family favorite. What makes it different from any other pea soups I have tried is the addition of whole peas, spaetzle-like dumplings and sausage. Try it once and you'll be hooked.
My grandma's pea soup recipe was a family favorite. What makes it different from any other pea soups I have tried is the addition of whole peas, spaetzle-like dumplings and sausage. Try it once and you'll be hooked.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 medium carrot chopped
- 3 quarts water
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 1 leaf
- 1 meaty ham bone
- 1/2 pound dried whole peas
- 1/2 pound dried green split peas
- 1/2 cup chopped celery leaves
- 1 teaspoon bouquet garni (mixed herbs)
- 1/2 pound johnsonville® fully cooked smoked sausage rope, chopped, optional
- spaetzle dumplings:
- Carbohydrate 15.7312616626295 g
- Cholesterol 13.21875 mg
- Fat 0.578734840391432 g
- Fiber 4.16549881185923 g
- Protein 4.82161010340038 g
- Saturated Fat 0.139399046820058 g
- Serving Size 1 1 servings (4 quarts). (254g)
- Sodium 119.700488791053 mg
- Sugar 11.5657628507703 g
- Trans Fat 0.120552168995477 g
- Calories 86 calories
Step-by-step
- Cover peas with water and soak overnight.
- Drain, rinse and place in a Dutch oven.
- Add ham bone, water and remaining soup ingredients except sausage and dumplings. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat; cover and simmer 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
- Remove ham bone and skim fat.
- Remove meat from bone; dice. Add ham and, if desired, sausage to pan.
- For dumplings, place flour in a small bowl. Make a depression in the center of the flour; add egg and water and stir until smooth.
- Place a colander with 3/16-in.-diameter holes over simmering soup; transfer dough to the colander and press through with a wooden spoon.
- Cook, uncovered, 10-15 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
- Freeze Option: Prepare soup without dumplings and freeze in serving-size portions to enjoy for months to come.
Grandma's Pea Soup: A Legacy of Flavor
The aroma alone is enough to transport me back to my childhood, to Grandma's cozy kitchen, filled with the comforting warmth of simmering soup and the happy chatter of family. Her pea soup wasn't just a meal; it was an experience, a taste of tradition, a love letter in every spoonful. This recipe, passed down through generations, holds a special place in my heart, and I'm thrilled to share it with you today. It's more than just a collection of ingredients; it's a story of family gatherings, Sunday dinners, and the enduring power of simple, wholesome food.
What sets Grandma's pea soup apart? It's the combination of textures and flavors. The tender whole peas, bursting with sweetness, are perfectly complemented by the hearty ham bone, lending a rich depth of flavor to the broth. And then there are the dumplings – light, airy, and subtly flavored – that add a delightful touch of unexpectedness. They're not your typical dumplings; they're more like delicate spaetzle, little pockets of fluffy goodness that absorb the savory broth beautifully. Each bite is a delightful symphony of textures, a dance between the smooth, creamy peas, the tender ham, and the fluffy dumplings. It's a sensory experience that lingers long after the last spoonful.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It’s a dish that welcomes improvisation; feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Want to add some carrots or celery for extra sweetness and crunch? Go ahead! Prefer a spicier kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes will do the trick. The recipe is a blank canvas, allowing you to personalize it according to your preferences. But whatever adjustments you make, remember to embrace the essence of the dish: the heartiness, the wholesomeness, the comforting warmth that has nourished generations of our family.
Making Grandma's pea soup is a labor of love, but the reward is immeasurable. It's a journey that begins with soaking the peas overnight – a simple act that speaks volumes about the time and care that goes into creating something truly special. It's about simmering the soup low and slow, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a symphony of taste that's as rich and complex as the memories it evokes. And it's about the joy of sharing this culinary treasure with those you love.
This isn't just a recipe; it's a tradition. It's a connection to the past, a celebration of family, and a testament to the enduring power of simple, wholesome food. It's a dish that brings people together, sparking conversations, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories around a table filled with the aroma of love and deliciousness. So, gather your ingredients, put on some soothing music, and embark on this culinary adventure. You won't just be making soup; you'll be making memories.
More than just a meal, Grandma's pea soup is a legacy, a story whispered in every spoonful, a taste of home, and a reminder of the enduring power of love and family. It's a dish that speaks volumes without saying a word, a tribute to simplicity, and a testament to the magic that happens when we gather around a table, sharing a meal, and sharing our lives.
So, whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, I encourage you to try Grandma's pea soup. It's a recipe that will warm your heart and nourish your soul. It's a recipe that transcends generations, a recipe that speaks to the heart, and a recipe that will undoubtedly become a cherished tradition in your own family. And who knows, maybe someday your own grandchildren will be enjoying this comforting classic, carrying on the legacy of deliciousness.
