Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed
• 7 cups water or 7 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
• 6 carrots, diced
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Recipe

• 1 place split peas in heavy large saucepan; add enough cold water to cover and let soak 15 minutes.
• 2 drain peas and return to same pan.
• 3 add 7 cups water or vegetable broth and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes.
• 4 heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
• 5 add onion and saute until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• 6 add garlic and saute 3 minutes.
• 7 add onion mixture,carrots and celery ( and potato if using) to peas; mix in cumin and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 8 simmer until peas and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• 9 (can be prepared 1 day ahead. cover and refrigerate. rewarm before serving, thinning with water if necessary.).
• 10 ladle soup into bowls and serve.