Split pea soup is a simple thing—not a lot to it other than the dried peas, some aromatics, a little broth... Oh, and a ham bone. Just like this luscious soup Faith wrote about yesterday, classic split pea soup gets it depth of flavor from a ham hock. All fine and good unless you're a vegetarian, right? Well, we've got recipes (and tips) to satisfy both sides.
Vegetarian split pea soup is even easier, when you're thinking about it from a shopping standpoint (we find that ham hocks can be hard to come by outside of the South). But you may want to make a few substitutions to give it extra body.
Some suggestions:
• If the recipe calls for water, use vegetable broth.
• Add a salty garnish (Stephanie adds grilled cheese croutons; another recipe below calls for chopped olives) or a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.
• Add a sprinkle of truffle salt or smoked paprika.
• Or, just enjoy it as a simple, clean vegetable soup that it is. Nothing wrong with that.
WITH HAM
• Split Pea Soup, from the Kitchn (above, left).
• Split Pea Soup, from Simply Recipes.
• Split Pea Soup with Pumpernickel Croutons, from Gourmet.
VEGETARIAN
• Vegetarian Split Pea Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, from the Kitchn (above, right).
• Vegetarian Split Pea Soup, from 101 Cookbooks.
• Yellow Split Pea Soup, also from 101 Cookbooks.
Related: Why Does My Split Pea Soup Turn Brown?
(Images: Kathryn Hill; Stephanie Barlow)
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If you don't mind putting a bunch of chemicals in there.... I found during my vegan days that BacOs (or maybe just a little liquid smoke) was a great substitute for that ham flavor.
I've found that a little dash of vinegar helps out a vegetarian pea soup.
Also, for those who don't eat red meat or are keeping kosher, you can use smoked turkey legs in place of ham hocks! Great smoky, meaty flavor without the piggy.
Alton Brown's curried split pea soup is really good, and can be vegetarian if you sub veggie broth for the chicken broth: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/curried-split-pea-soup-recipe/index.html
@fergmelk: On a similar note, the Hurst's brand HamPeas soup mix comes with a "ham flavor" packet that is strangely vegan. It is also awesomely delicious and a favorite of my husband's during Lent.
One of the greatest tips I've picked up for making vegetarian split pea soup is adding some sliced up Burdock Root. (You can usually find it at Whole Foods or your local health food store.) I'm not a vegetarian -- and I LOVE ham in my split pea soup -- but I tried replacing the ham with Burdock Root when I was on a super-healthy kick, and I actually like it just as much. Somehow the Burdock Root mimics the deep smoky and slightly spicy flavors you get from the ham -- it's pretty amazing!
I am partial to my own variation:
http://jpspecial.tumblr.com/post/3107973552/tangy-tasty-split-pea-soup
Meaning, another vote for yogurt in vegetarian split pea! Mmm, split pea soup. It's time.
I don't use liquid smoke but it isn't unnatural as many people think. It is literally caputered smoke.
When I was vegetarian split pea was one of my favorite soups even without the ham (or liquid smoke or bacos)
Now that I'm no longer a vegetarian I love ham in my soup- but still don't mind going without if I'm cooking for vegetarians.
I guess it's just a matter of taste.
Since much of the ham taste is smoky and salty, I would just add spanish smoked paprika (which I also use in BBQ sauce, "cowboy" beans, and tacos - it's basically my favorite spice after cinnamon and granulated garlic) and extra salt. I've actually thought about doing this before, but I tend to have ham hocks or ham neck bones on hand a lot, so I just use those. Plus in my opinion the bits of ham are a tasty addition to the soup.
Goya makes "Sabor de Jamon" which has no actual ham in it. It's a packet of powder which I add at the end of cooking and stir in. Gives it a great smoky, salty taste.
I like making my own pea soup. Simmering dried peas in veggie broth for a few hours with lots of curry and cumin. Yum!
While I was once a vegetarian for about 10 years (and 3 vegan), I am decidedly in the pro-pork-products-and-smoky-goodness category now. That being said, the first recipe that really turned me on to how *great* split pea soup could taste was the Hearty Pea Soup from The New Laurel's Kitchen. It uses split peas as just part of the overall ingredients - there are healthy amounts of carrots, barley, potatoes, etc. and it's overwhelmingly clean-tasting and hearty.
It's so good - take a sunny, cold Sunday afternoon and throw a pot on. It's one of my favorite go-to soups for comfort food. And not a bacon bit in sight.
I fell in love with Split Pea soup last year. I love cooking it with carrots and potatoes, garnished with popcorn! It's fun and the contrast in textures works perfectly!