Ingredients and Weight:
- Split Peas: 1 cup (dried)
- Ham: 500 grams (cubed)
- Onion: 1 large (chopped)
- Celery: 2 stalks (chopped)
- Carrots: 2 medium (chopped)
- Chicken broth: 4 cups
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (crushed)
- Bay leaves: 3-4
Preparation Time:
- Preparation: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 45 minutes (in Instant Pot)
- Total: About 1 hour
Difficulty Level:
[Level 3] - Moderate. You should be comfortable using an Instant Pot and basic kitchen skills.
Preparation Method Steps:
- Soak the split peas in water for about 30 minutes.
- Set Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add the chopped onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add the ham cubes, celery, and carrots. Sauté for another minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir well.
- Add the soaked split peas and bay leaves. Give it a stir.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the cooking mode to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" for 25 minutes.
- Once the cooking is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes, then open the pot.
- Add salt and pepper according to taste and stir well. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming 8 servings total)
Calories: Approx. 300-400 (depending on seasoning and serving size)
Fat: Moderate (mostly from ham)
Carbohydrates: From split peas and vegetables
Protein: From ham and split peas
Other nutrients: Fiber, vitamins, minerals (potassium, iron, etc.)
Dish Characteristics:
- Comfort food - perfect for colder weather or a hearty meal.
- Full of flavor and rich in texture with the combination of split peas and ham.
- Easy to customize with additional vegetables or seasoning if desired.
User Comments:
- "This soup was so comforting and filling! The perfect dish for a cold winter's day." - John Doe, New York, USA
- "My family loved this dish! It reminded us of our grandma's home cooking." - Jane Smith, Texas, USA
- "I added some potatoes and corn to this soup which made it even more delicious." - Michael Johnson, California, USA
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Make sure to use a brand of split peas that is specifically for soup-making (not split pea pasta) as they are different in texture and cooking time.
- Adjust seasoning according to your preference. Some people might prefer more salt or pepper than others.
- If you want to make this dish vegetarian, you can skip the ham or use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
