Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 3 cups dried split peas
• 7 cups water (may need more) or 7 cups vegetable stock (may need more)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 cups onions, minced
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 3 stalks celery, minced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 potato, diced
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 -4 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, to taste (or red wine vinegar)
• sesame oil (optional)
• fresh ripe tomato, diced (optional)
• fresh parsley, minced (optional)

Recipe

• 1 place first 5 ingredients in a large pot.
• 2 bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, partially covered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent split peas from sticking to bottom of pot.
• 3 add onions, garlic, celery, carrots and potato. (you can saute these first or add them in directly if you want a fat free soup).
• 4 partially cover and allow to simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.(you may need to add extra water).
• 5 season to taste with pepper and vinegar.
• 6 serve with a drizzle of sesame oil, diced tomato and minced parsley.