A lot of split pea soup recipes rely on ham or bacon for flavor. Vegetarians and vegans need a version that excludes meat. The split pea soup recipe here doesn't use any kind of meat for flavor, and yet it's one of the best-tasting soups. It doesn't have too many ingredients, so preparation is simple, and - unlike some soup recipes - it doesn't take more than one to two hours. Enjoy!
Vegan Split Pea Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 16-ounce package of green split peas
- 4 cups of water
- 2 14-ounce cans of vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
- Rinse the split peas and remove any dirt or stones mixed in. Then, in a large pot or Dutch oven, combine split peas, water, vegetable broth, onion, and carrot. Heat pot to boiling. Then reduce heat to simmer and add salt and pepper. Cover loosely and simmer for one to two hours. Check and stir occasionally. Soup is done when the peas are soft.
- This soup can be eaten as is, or it can be pureed. Also, for those people who prefer their soup in between, they can take a potato or bean masher and mash the soup until it reaches their preferred consistency. It can also be cooked longer for a thicker consistency.
As a Side or a Meal by Itself
For those who want to eat their soup as part of a meal, remember that split pea soup has a distinctive flavor. It does go well with green salads, though, as well as pasta and rice dishes. The nice thing about split pea soup is that it is hearty and filling and makes a satisfying meal by itself. It goes well with wheat crackers or with absolutely nothing else.
Health Benefits of Split Peas
The great thing about split peas (and even other legumes) is that they are high in fiber and protein. One quarter-cup serving of split peas provides nine grams of fiber and nine grams of protein. Compare that to pinto beans: the same serving size of pintos only provides five grams of fiber and seven of protein. Or look at lima beans, where the same serving size provides seven grams of fiber and eight grams of protein. Spoon for spoon, split peas offer more fiber and protein than many other similar foods.
A Guiltless Food
Anyone hungry for a hot, filling meal can do no better than sit down to a bowl of split pea soup. The recipe here is even better tasting than the traditional meat-based version and much healthier. Eat up!
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