Wholesome Cook
Autumn

Pea and ham soup with chorizo sticks

(As Featured in Jul.2014 Nourish Magazine)

Pea and ham soup. Another comfort food favourite, isn’t it?

It needs no introductions, I’m sure you know it well. My version though is extra special. Velvety smooth and incredibly moreish with hints of smokiness from the chorizo and paprika. And, well, I’ll be honest… It has no ham in it.

I considered calling it the pea and chorizo soup but it just doesn’t evoke the same warm and fuzzy feelings as pea and ham does. If you’re not a big fan of the smoky Spanish salchichón, you can use ham, or even bacon for that extra hit of flavour lurking in the soup and the topping.

The soup freezes well, so if this amount is too much, simply save some for another day. Frozen soup is also easy to transport if you like to take your lunch with you to work.

Serves 4

Pea and ham soup with chorizo sticks

Feel free to use ham or bacon in this recipe instead of chorizo. Bacon will definitely make better “sticks” for the topping. About 250g of either would be a good substitute.

Soup

  • 500g dried green split peas
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 chorizo
  • 1 brown onion, peeled
  • 1 parsnip, peeled
  • 1 carrot
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 1 tbsp smoky paprika
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Chorizo sticks

  • 1 chorizo

Soup: Roughly chop carrot, parsnip, celery sticks and onion. Finely slice chorizo, place it in a stock pot and cook on medium high heat until lightly coloured. Add onion and olive oil, reduce heat and cook stirring, until onions become translucent.

Add chopped carrots, parsnip and celery, stir and cook for a couple of minutes to release flavours. Add split peas and stir to blend through.

Pour in stock and add paprika. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer covered for 45-60 minutes or until the peas are tender and the soup is starting to go mushy. Add a little water, if the soup is too thick.

Using a stick blender, blend the soup until velvety smooth.

Chorizo sticks: Slice the remaining chorizo, then cut into small sticks. Place in a pan and cook stirring until lightly charred and crispy.

Serve: ladle soup into bowls, top with some chorizo sticks and serve any extras on the side.

15 comments

Sneh | Cook Republic June 12, 2011 at 9:01 am

What gorgeous colors! The soup looks so comforting and it is so brrrr cold today. I must use parsnip too when I make this next time. I am going to try a slow cooker version. Thnx for sharing Martyna!

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Wholesome Cook June 12, 2011 at 1:23 pm

You’re welcome! I just buy a soup pack of veggies and use them. They give the soup extra flavour and substance. Enjoy!

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anhsfoodblog June 12, 2011 at 9:31 am

a classic flavour! I haven’t made pea soup for such a long time! Yum!

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Wholesome Cook June 12, 2011 at 1:21 pm

Me neither, probably since last winter! But it’s so good! I even like it chilled (it becomes thick) spread on bread or crackers!

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lawfullyweddedwife June 12, 2011 at 9:42 am

This looks amazing! My father-in-law makes pea soup every year for Christmas and Easter, it really is a comfort food!

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Wholesome Cook June 12, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Thanks Lauren – I can only imagine how good it tastes when it’s cold and snowing outside!

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What's for tea tonight dear? June 12, 2011 at 11:27 am

Nice recipe, and nice soup bowls!

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Wholesome Cook June 12, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Thank you!

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Laura (starloz) June 13, 2011 at 11:49 am

lovely bowl of soup, perfect for this weather!

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Jennifer Lam June 13, 2011 at 1:19 pm

Gorgeous colour! And what a pretty soup plate too!

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Alissa June 13, 2011 at 7:07 pm

Pea and ham soup is the best! great idea to add the chorizo on top :)

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Maria @ Scandi Foodie June 15, 2011 at 9:15 am

This is a perfect soup for the cooler weather!

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msihua June 17, 2011 at 12:06 am

Love the idea of this. I’ve tried this at home before too, and it was delicious! We added scallops for that touch of oomph

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Wholesome Cook June 17, 2011 at 6:38 am

Of course, scallops! Great thinking!

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Sara @ Belly Rumbles June 17, 2011 at 7:56 pm

The soup is just perfect for winter. I do like Msihua’s suggestion of scallop as it does go so well with chorizo.

Reply

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