Almost Instant Split Pea Soup

Split peas normally take 45 minutes to an hour of simmering before they are tender enough for soup. In this hearty, nourishing soup split peas are first ground in a blender or coffee mill. This drastically reduces their cooking time, down to as little as 10 minutes.  It can be prepared whenever you need a quick, hot meal. As a matter of fact, this soup is so easy to make that even children can learn to prepare it with little or no supervision. Plus it’s absolutely scrumptious!

First you need a blender or coffee mill. If you don’t have one then you can’t prepare this recipe. Blenders are one of the most useful kitchen machines one can own. Watch yard sales and thrift stores until you find one in good condition. Discount Department stores often have them inexpensively too. Better yet, ask for one as a gift for your birthday or another holiday.

Almost Instant Split Pea Soup Mix

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup split peas
• 1 tablespoon soy bacon bits
• 1 tablespoon dry onions
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons broth powder or 2 bouillon cubes
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon thyme
• Pinch Ground Red Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes

Directions

Measure the split peas and pour them into a blender. If you’re using a coffee mill then process the split peas 1/4-cup at a time. A blender can handle the whole half-cup at once. Process the split peas until they grind down into a grainy powder. This takes a full minute of blender time, sometimes up to 2 minutes.

Do not try to grind more than 1/2-cup of split peas at a time. More than that is too big a load for your blender and will overheat the motor.

After you turn the blender off do not remove the lid right away. Let the split pea dust settle first. If you open the blender up as soon as you’re done grinding then a big cloud of split pea dust will rise from the blender and cover everything on the counter with a light dusting of peas. It’s easily removed with a damp dishcloth but even easier to prevent in the first place.

After letting the dust settle pour the split pea powder into a small sandwich bag. Add the remaining ingredients to the sandwich bag. Seal it with a twist-tie or its plastic zipper. Label the bag as suggested below and store on the pantry shelf to use as needed. Make several at once for the most time and work savings.

Split Pea Soup Mix
Date
Add 3C water & 1T margarine.
Simmer 10-15 min.

To Prepare

In a 2-quart saucepan combine 1-packet of your Instant Split Pea Soup Mix, 3-cups of water and 1-tablespoon of margarine or vegetable oil. Stir the mixture so the split peas don’t clump up. Place the pot on the stove and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. When the soup is thick and the pea puree is tender it’s ready to serve.

When served with toasted bread or cornbread and perhaps a glass of fruit juice, this makes a hearty meal for 1 person. It also makes 2 moderate servings that can be a nice meal with egg salad sandwiches or rice cakes plus carrot and celery sticks on the side.

In the winter I especially like this soup with hot chocolate. The flavors just seem right together.

Since this soup is so popular at my house, and so cheap besides, I make up 5-batches at a time which takes 1-full pound of split peas. If you have it once a week for lunch then a pound of split peas will make about a month’s supply at 30¢ to 40¢ per batch, depending on the cost of peas and margarine or oil.